Al Bateen sees movements up by 25% in April

Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi has announced a 25% increase in commercial aircraft movements during April 2011 compared with the same month last year.
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 The executive airport continues to register high double digit growth in its commercial traffic from both based and visiting aircraft operators. The figures follow hard on the heels of its 18% growth shown in Q1 2011 activity versus Q1 2010.

Steve Jones, general manager said: “We are seeing an upward trend in traffic as operators and their clients get more familiar with Al Bateen Executive.  The decision to revise our aeronautical charges last year and the introduction of a new instrument landing system (ILS) has boasted traffic immeasurably, as has the ongoing improvements to our facility, which now benefits from a dedicated hands on management team.”  

Jones added:  “We are pleased to report that Al Bateen is getting on to the map and encouragingly much of this growth is coming from visiting or overseas aircraft.  Al Bateen has a raft of improvements to make that will deliver an even more attractive proposition for crew and passengers.”

A stylish new crew lounge and briefing facilities are currently close to completion. Rob Jefferson, Account Director at Projex, the interior design and fit-out contractor, is overseeing the project and comments, “we have worked closely with Al Bateen Management to research the specific requirements of its customers and develop concepts that meet and exceed expectations. The facilities are elegant and relaxing yet highly functional.” Al Bateen has also developed a strategy that addresses the precise needs of the airport’s users. “We are listening to passengers and crew so we know exactly what they want,” comments Jones.

Together with the upgraded crew facilities, Al Bateen signed a letter of intent with aviation catering firm Gate Group in Dec 2010. This agreement sees its executive gourmet catering concept established onsite at Al Bateen and will be the first base for the catering firm in the Middle Eastern region.