Abu Dhabi International Airport recently celebrated being named the world’s ‘Most Improved Airport 2009-2010’ by Skytrax – the award is based on the votes of more than 9.8 million travellers from 100 different countries.
Moving up to become the world’s number 26 airport – a jump of 47 places from the previous year – the success has largely been credited to the multi-billion dollar programme of investments being placed in the airport, including the new Terminal 3 launched in the first quarter of 2009, and the focus on delivering high-quality services to passengers.
Announced at The Skytrax World Airport Awards ceremony, Skytrax is the industry’s most extensive air traveller-based awards, with the survey of airport customers conducted between July 2009 and March 2010 at more than 200 airports.
Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the operator of Abu Dhabi International Airport, said: “This is a fantastic endorsement of the hard work of management and staff, as well ports and airports security police department, Abu Dhabi’s general administration of customs, the Department of Immigration and all our airline partners, in addition to the substantial investment being put into Abu Dhabi’s, and the UAE capital’s, main airport.
“In the last year, ADAC has introduced a new terminal, new parking facilities, free wi-fi and use of new technologies, as well as unique travel retail and food and beverage offerings and a comprehensive service quality training programme for our staff. Through these and other initiatives, we are creating exciting new facilities and offer award-winning services to all air travellers through Abu Dhabi International. We are honoured to have been recognised by passengers for the work we have done and ADAC will keep firm on its commitment to do more in the future.
“For millions of visitors, our airport is their first experience of Abu Dhabi, therefore, we aim to make it the perfect welcome for them and this award vindicates the direction and actions we are taking to realise that mission.”
Edward Plaisted, chairman of Skytrax said: “It is a great achievement for Abu Dhabi International Airport to have moved up the global rankings so dramatically this year. This survey is a true measure of passenger satisfaction and travellers through Abu Dhabi International Airport have clearly recognised and now enjoy the many improvements made by ADAC over the last year. This is a most competitive market as airports seek to improve the customer experience and Abu Dhabi International Airport is now showing this is an area of strong performance for it.”