Zayed International Airport opens in UAE, costing £3.7 billion

Zayed International Airport has been called the "world's most beautiful airport" by Etihad Airways. The airport, located in the United Arab Emirates, cost about £3.7 billion ($4.8 billion) to build. It is now the second busiest airport in the country, following Dubai International. The airport features a unique roof designed to look like sand dunes. Inside, the departure hall stands 50 meters high and is filled with colorful lighting. One notable art installation, called Sana Al Nour, weighs around 100,000 kg and includes 1,632 curved glass panels. Terminal A has 65 gates that can handle up to 59 aircraft, mainly for Etihad flights. Zayed International Airport is designed for luxury. Passengers can walk between gates in about seven minutes. The airport also uses modern technology like facial-recognition systems and CT scanners, allowing travelers to keep electronic devices in their bags. Travelers have more than 160 high-end designer stores and various food options to enjoy while waiting for their flights. Named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the airport softly opened in 2023. It welcomed 22.5 million passengers in its first year. In the first half of 2024, the airport saw a remarkable 33.5% rise in passenger numbers, totaling nearly 14 million.