Abudhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued directives to change the official name of Abu Dhabi International Airport to Sheikh Zayed International Airport, as reported by Khaleej Times, a prominent daily based in Dubai.

The name change is set to come into effect on February 9, 2024, aligning with the official opening of the new Terminal A, as announced by the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office. The operational launch of this terminal is scheduled for November 1, with Etihad Airways inaugurating it through the operation of a commercial flight to India. Flight EY224, departing from Terminal A at 2:35 pm, carried 359 passengers.

Over the initial two weeks, a transition period for airlines will see all terminals (A, 1, 2, and 3) operating concurrently. Starting from November 14, all airlines will exclusively operate from Terminal A. Etihad Airways will gradually move its flights to Terminal A, commencing on November 9 with operations from Terminals A and 3. By 11 am on November 14, the airline will have shifted all of its flights to the new terminal.

On Tuesday, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, paid a visit to the new terminal. Spanning an impressive 742,000 square meters, the terminal boasts an annual passenger capacity of up to 45 million. Once fully operational, Terminal A will host 28 airlines, connecting to a network of 117 destinations worldwide.

Antonoaldo Neves, the CEO of Etihad, expressed his excitement at this pivotal moment in the airline's history. He commended the visionary leadership of Abu Dhabi in creating one of the world's most spectacular airports, describing the terminal as a stunning architectural masterpiece that harmonizes with the local landscape and elevates the travel experience for passengers."