Al Bateen Executive, the Gulf region’s first dedicated private aviation airport, reported a 30-percent increase in aircraft movements in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year. The airport is located minutes from the city center of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Mohammed Al Bulooki, the vice president and general manager of the Gulf Center for
Aviation Studies, believes the increase will continue. Al Bateen Executive (Booth No. 1635) is home to the Gulf Center for Aviation Studies, which provides the Gulf region with an ICAO-endorsed training facility.

“In 2009 there were approximately 530 private and company-owned jets operating, or on order, within the Middle East and Africa region,” said Al Bulooki. “This number is expected to grow to approximately 1,190 by 2018. Al Bateen Executive is perfectly poised to support both local and international operators to achieve and service the regional and international demand.”

To accommodate the expected increase in traffic, the airport has planned a number of improvements, including an upgrade to its ILS precision approach capabilities by the end of the year.

The multimillion-dollar plan also includes an upgrade to its airfield, hangar and support facilities, as well as a re-modeling of the airport lounges and terminal, and an expansion of the retail and car park. The airport also plans to build a hotel on site.
Al-Bateen is owned and operated by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company. It claims that the UAE has now surpassed Saudi Arabia in having the highest concentration of business jets in the Middle East region (with 37.8 percent of all aircraft, compared with Saudi Arabia’s 34.4 percent).