Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi's private aviation airport has taken another step towards becoming a global business hub following the completion of a massive upgrade of its runway.

Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Gulf's only private aviation facility, has installed a new Instrument Landing System (ILS), which provides precision guidance for aircraft approaching and landing.

The Category One system will allow aircraft to land safely in low visibility conditions.

The ILS uses multiple radio frequencies emitted by two components: a localiser and a glide path.

The localiser sends radio signals to the aircraft that show 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.

Al Bateen's ILS runway is now visible on all aircraft en-route chart maps in order to aid pilots in finding the airport, which is located only five kilometres from Abu Dhabi's central business district.

Momentum

Stephen Jones, General Manager of Al Bateen Executive Airport, said: "The long-term structure plan for the airport is pretty extensive. The airport has handled 7,000 aircraft movements this year and I can see it growing 20 per cent year-on-year once the airport gains momentum and establishes itself on the business aviation map. I am confident that visiting pilots will greatly appreciate the improvements that we have made at the airport.

"One of the great advantages of Al Bateen airport is that passengers and pilots are in and out of the terminal within minutes, which is increasingly more difficult at the main international hubs as they continue to get busier and busier. We are also planning to improve maintenance facilities at Al Bateen — such as retail and hotel accommodation — as part of our long-term goal to create a world class private aviation airport."

The upgrade is part of a long-term infrastructural development plan that encompasses upgrades of the airport's Air Traffic Control and Automated Weather Observation systems.

Investment

James Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, said: "By achieving this milestone today, Al Bateen is now firmly placed on the world airport map. It is within ADAC's [Abu Dhabi Airports Company's] vision for Al Bateen to grow into a business aviation hub and, with this ILS upgrade, the airport is on the right track."

To date, Dh170 million has been invested in the redevelopment of the airport with separate budgets to be announced for future projects.

Al Bateen currently has a stand capacity for up to 50 private jets with quick turnaround and no holding patterns.

Omar Bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, 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 the airport will soon lead the unique business aviation sector, not only locally but internationally."