Abu Dhabi Airports is undertaking its largest live trial and testing exercise to date with more than 6,000 volunteers chosen from the Abu Dhabi community as part of the continuing operational readiness trials for the new Terminal A ahead of its inauguration in November.

The operational trials entail taking part in critical simulations that are built to stress-test personnel, equipment, and processes in the terminal’s major operational areas.

Along with employees of Abu Dhabi Airports, the volunteers also include children, families, and aviation industry participants.

Check-in and luggage, security screening, boarding gates, immigration, and customs are among the systems and procedures being examined. Volunteers at immigration are checking the efficiency and precision of the procedure for travellers and perfecting the document and customs checks.

Meanwhile, at boarding and departure, tests included scanning the boarding passes of volunteers and assessing procedural preparedness to communicate changes in flight information.

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Interim CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Our commitment to excellence has driven our journey to prepare for Terminal A’s opening, as we are focused on conducting extensive large-scale assessments to ensure the speed, efficiency and delivery of operations.

“I would like to thank the volunteers who have participated in these trials for their unwavering support as we gear up to welcome passengers to Terminal A in November.”

With a built-up size of 742,000 square metres, Terminal A is one of the world’s largest airport terminals and will greatly expand the passenger and cargo capacity of Abu Dhabi International Airport, accelerating the emirate’s economic growth.

With a capacity of 45 million passengers annually and 11,000 passengers per hour, the terminal will serve as the cornerstone for Abu Dhabi’s growth of its tourist industry and solidify the city’s status as a major international gateway and aviation hub.

During September and October, Abu Dhabi Airports will continue to embark on large-scale test exercises of Terminal A’s facilities and are welcoming participation from volunteers.