Abu Dhabi Airports said it has invested more than Dh20 billion ($5.44 billion) in capital development projects over the last decade across all of its sites at Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International airports.

The biggest infrastructure project undertaken so far, the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC), will increase Abu Dhabi International Airport’s overall capacity to 45 million passengers per year, said a statement from the airports operator, which is marking a decade of innovation in aviation this year.

Created in 2006 through an Amiri Decree from the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Airports Company was formed to spearhead the development of the emirate's aviation infrastructure, and assumed responsibility for the operation and management of Abu Dhabi International and Al Ain Airport.

Abu Dhabi Airports later added Al Bateen Executive Airport, an exclusive business aviation airport, along with Sir Bani Yas and Delma Island Airports to its portfolio, it stated.

Ali Majed Al Mansoori, the chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: "Innovation, as well as the passion and determination of our staff, have been the key pillars to our continued success. The aviation sector in the emirate has changed considerably over the last 10 years and we are proud of the role that Abu Dhabi Airports has played in facilitating the positive changes witnessed in this dynamic sector."

"Through innovative products such as our recently launched Smart Travel System at Abu Dhabi International Airport, we have consistently provided high-quality facilities and services with cutting-edge solutions to passengers at all our airports, and we will continue to do as we receive more and more visitors from around the world," he added.-TradeArabia News Service