MUSCAT: The Middle East has the most vibrant and successful aviation sector compared to other regions, It was also one of the first to recover from the pandemic-era meltdowns.
There are plenty of opportunities for all airports in the region, said the top official of one such hub in an exclusive interview with the Observer.
Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO, at Abu Dhabi Airports, is a senior executive with wide experience in managing investments in the aviation and energy industries, including in the Sultanate of Oman.
Between 2018 and 2021, Sorlini served in the positions of group corporate strategy director and the group vice president of strategic planning at the erstwhile Oman Aviation Group (OAG), where her role involved effectively developing and managing investments in infrastructure and services in the aviation sector.
When asked about having mega airports in short distances in the region, she said, “Having large hubs within short distances has never been an issue in places like Europe. It shouldn’t be one in this area. There are plenty of opportunities for all of us. Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi was built to re-imagine the airport experience for passengers and partners alike, and it is poised to capture rising tourism demand. We are located just an eight-hour flight from 2/3rd of the world population, we are one of the largest and most beautiful terminals worldwide, capable of welcoming up to 45 million passengers per year.”
On the role of low-cost carriers, she said, “The low-cost companies have been underserved not just in Abu Dhabi. The uniqueness of their products and services has not just bridged a demand mostly underserved but has also been proven to stimulate it. Since their launch in 2020, airlines such as Wizzair and Air Arabia have gained an overall 22 percent share of our market in 2023, and they have ambitious growth plans going ahead.
Regarding the appointment of women to leadership positions in the aviation sector, she said, I’ve never felt there was an issue with leadership positions in the aviation sector. I’ve been working in aviation for over 20 years now and all my goals have been reached through hard work and dedication, regardless of gender. The Middle East has offered me exciting opportunities to advance in my career and I’m extremely grateful to the people who have believed in me.”
She said that over 90 percent of the steel and 82 percent of the timber used in constructing the new terminal is certified and from sustainable sources, reducing the amount of raw material used and promoting the circular economy. “More than 70 percent of plants used at the terminal’s landscaping are native and adaptive species that are drought- and saline-resistant. Water-efficient fixtures and fittings have been installed throughout the airport, resulting in a 45 percent improvement over the Estidama benchmark figures.”
At Zayed International Airport, she said, “The new terminal utilizes a nine-touch-point facial recognition journey, deployed at various stages of the airport experience, including the self-bag drop area, and counters. As a result, passengers can enjoy significantly reduced queuing times for a hassle-free and seamless journey through the airport. There’s no longer the need for physical documents to navigate through immigration and boarding processes.”
Passengers can expect a rapid journey, as they can go to the gate in just 12 minutes, an advanced baggage handling system can process up to 19,200 bags per hour.
Zayed International is the only airport in the region, and one of only 15 airports worldwide, to offer US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance, allowing travelers to bypass inspection lines upon arrival in the US.
In 2023 Zayed International Airport traffic increased by 44.7 percent to 22.5 million; in January 2024 the airports experienced a further growth of 34% vs last year, above the international trend.
Congestion is reduced due to an increase in the number of aircraft parking stands to 65 contact stands and 14 remote stands, complete with dedicated boarding gates.
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