Abu Dhabi Airports marked the 40th anniversary of the inauguration of Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) on Sunday, local media reports said.
“Abu Dhabi International Airport has connected the world to Abu Dhabi for 40 years and fueled the emirate’s emergence as a leading destination for tourism, trade and commerce,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports.
The airport was first proposed in 1974 as the government planned to modernize the newly formed UAE, with its construction beginning in 1979.
The Airport was inaugurated on 2 January 1982, with Etihad becoming the national carrier and the home airline in 2003.
The AUH introduced the first United States border pre-clearance facilities in the Middle East in 2014.
The facility aids in the processing of passengers on direct flights for entry into the United States before they board their planes.
AUH launched the Smart Travel System in 2016, the first of its kind in the region, to ease passenger processing and improve the customer experience, the reports said.
During the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AUH was among the first to introduce contactless gates and touchless elevators to complement its wide array of health and safety measures.
Shareef Al Hashmi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airport, said, “We will continue to explore new technologies, products and ways of doing business that will drive improved sustainability and create industry-leading airport experiences.”