Abu Dhabi Airports begins East Midfield Cargo Terminal construction

Abu Dhabi Airports has commenced construction of the East Midfield Cargo Terminal (EMCT) at Zayed International Airport (AUH).

Spanning 90,000 square metres, this state-of-the-art facility will boost AUH’s cargo capacity and logistics capabilities, enabling it to process 1 to 1.5 million tonnes of cargo each year, according to a LinkedIn post by Abu Dhabi Airports.

The EMCT will seamlessly integrate with the logistics free trade zone, offering a full range of services such as consolidation, warehousing, distribution, and re-export, the post mentioned.

Abu Dhabi Airports currently operates and owns five airports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These airports are Zayed International Airport also known as Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), which is the primary and main airport of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain International Airport, located in Al Ain city, Al Bateen Executive Airport, a dedicated business jet international airport in Abu Dhabi, Delma Airport, which serves Dalma Island, and Sir Bani Yas Island Airport, which serves Sir Bani Yas Island.

Abu Dhabi Airports, established in 2006, is a public joint-stock company and a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ), one of the region’s largest holding companies.

Abu Dhabi Airports recently reported a strong year-to-date (YTD) performance in air cargo, handling 572,000 tonnes of cargo by September 30, 2024. This represents a 23% increase compared to the 465,000 metric tonnes managed during the same period in 2023.

The surge in cargo volumes was fueled by rising demand for both belly-hold capacity and dedicated freighter services.

In support of this growth, the Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ) has taken significant steps to enhance its infrastructure. Two agreements were signed to expand warehousing capabilities, ensuring the UAE remains well-positioned to cater to increasing trade and logistics needs.

The agreements include a 29,000-square-metre facility with MSM Logistics, representing an AED 85 million investment, and a new AED 320 million warehousing complex with Radius Group in the Al Falah District. Spanning 140,000 square metres, the facility will provide over 90,000 square metres of advanced warehousing space, further boosting cargo handling efficiency and capacity.

Last year, in November 2023, Abu Dhabi International Airport opened its newest terminal, known as 'Terminal A,' covering 742,000 square metres of built-up area, further enhancing its cargo and passenger capacity.