Al Bateen Executive Airport runway upgraded on par with leading international airports | Press Release

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Press Release

Issued by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).

December 6, 2010

Al Bateen Executive Airport runway upgraded on par with leading international airports

General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Gulf region's first and only dedicated private aviation airport, announced in a press conference today the completion of the Instrumental Landing System (ILS) Category 1 upgrade. The ILS system ensures an improved runway usage on par with leading international airports, allowing the airport to use cutting edge technology to enhance environmental performance and expand the capacity and flexibility of the airport.

The ILS Cat 1 upgrade to the air navigation system (ANS) at Al Bateen is part of a long-term infrastructural development plan for the airport that encompasses all its facilities, including upgrades to its Air Traffic Control and Automated Weather Observation systems in the near future. The ILS equipped runway will benefit from the increased capacity offered by the ability to handle more inbound aircraft landing within a shorter period of time, as it allows aircraft to land accurately and safely even during low-visibility conditions.

H.E. Omar Bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director General GCAA, said: "ADAC and Al Bateen Executive Airport have been working very hard with us to reach the end results. Through their commitment to fulfilling the envisioned plans for this facility, I am confident that the airport will soon lead the unique business aviation sector, not only locally, but also internationally".

James E. Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of ADAC, commented:

"By achieving this milestone today, Al Bateen is now placed firmly on the world airports' map. It is within ADAC's vision for Al Bateen to grow it into a business aviation hub, and with this ILS upgrade the airport is on the right track."

Instrumental Landing Systems operate using multiple radio frequencies emitting from two components, a Localiser and a Glide Path. The localiser emits radio signals to the aircraft control system that shows the distance and the position of the runway when landing, while the Glide Path emits radio signals illustrating the landing path for a descending aircraft to the touch-down zone a runway.

Al Bateen Executive Airport's ILS runway is now visible on all aircrafts' en-route chart maps to aid pilots in locating the airport. It is an added value offered to all clients, both passengers and pilots.