Dhabi Airport ups capacity to compete with regional rivals. Image: Aviation News

The construction of a 700, 000 square metre terminal at Abu Dhabi airport is expected to be completed by the second half of 2017, bringing with it the ability to handle an additional 30 million passengers a year. 

Abu Dhabi’s current three terminals have a total capacity of 12.5 million passengers per year and, according to Abu Dhabi Airports Company deputy development officer Daniel Molloy, current passenger activity has already risen 20 percent more than last year

“Our challenge right now is capacity,” Mr Molloy said.

Construction of the fourth terminal for the airport will kick-off in June after an infrastructure contract, valued at US$2.94 billion, was awarded to a consortium of builders, Reuters reported.

The new terminal will become the home of Etihad Airways and will likely aid Abu Dhabi in becoming a major competitor to neighbouring, Emirates-based Dubai.

Qatar is also expanding its aviation infrastructure with a new international airport.