Terminal 3, Abu Dhabi International Airport

THE FLIGHT

Flight EY460 to Melbourne, financial system

THE ARRIVAL

It isn’t a widely known reality, however Abu Dhabi’s flag service, Etihad Airways, affords a free, continuous bus service from Dubai to attach with its flights departing this airport. The bus, which picks up on the perimeter of downtown Dubai, takes two hours to journey 160 kilometres between the rival emirates. It is nowhere close to full, so everybody will get two seats to themselves, and I arrive on the airport precisely two hours earlier than my flight.

THE LOOK

Terminal 3 is devoted solely to Etihad flights, whereas T1 and T2 are for the opposite airways. You’d assume the federal government would subsequently splash out on this terminal, however the décor is a positively utilitarian gray, compounded by the very fact it is deathly quiet at 11pm, with none of its traditional buzz. Nevertheless, it gleams, as employees spray and polish each floor avidly.

CHECK-IN

I’ve already uploaded my PCR assessments and vaccination standing via Etihad’s web site and acquired my Verified to Fly standing, so the employees merely double-check my paperwork and I am via the check-in course of so quick, I virtually have whiplash. With necessities now altering (totally vaccinated travellers now now not want a PCR take a look at earlier than flying into Abu Dhabi), it could actually solely get sooner.

SECURITY

In contrast with Dubai, which opened its airport early and determinedly to all comers, because it resolutely went forward with its a lot delayed Dubai Expo, Abu Dhabi has been much more reticent to fling open the doorways as the worldwide pandemic eases. Added to that a number of drone assaults by Yemeni Houthis close to the airport only a few weeks earlier than my flight, and in consequence, there are tumbleweeds blowing via its corridors. With so few folks passing via Abu Dhabi, passing via safety is painless, with a number of scanners standing empty.

FOOD AND DRINK

Every little thing is winding down forward of my flight again to Melbourne, which departs at 12.40 AM. I seize an unlimited cup of tea and a toasted sandwich from Costa: the cafe chain is at all times a dependable selection in these elements, should you do not wish to reek of cooking oil. There are the same old fast-food choices, however as Etihad’s 2021 outcomes confirmed a passenger load of just below 40 % over the complete yr (rising to 70 per cent in December 2021), the heavy toll on the journey trade is straight away obvious, even in such international hubs.

RETAIL THERAPY

What to purchase? There’s a ridiculous quantity of gift-boxed dates on sale, from stunning, pistachio-stuffed dates from high-end model Bateel (my selection) to packing containers of the famed fruit from the Liwa oasis, the place the film Dune was filmed. The highest-tier trend, watch and sun shades outlets are open, however all of the DIY fragrance testers are packed away. Thanks for nothing, COVID.

PASSING TIME

Amazingly, there’s a little crimson publish field airside, so I end and publish all my unwritten postcards earlier than leaping on the free wifi. I might have a free bathe close to gates 32 and 37, or take a PCR take a look at for AED40. Many issues change, however the gold kneeling camel, on which each child who visits Abu Dhabi has been photographed sitting, remains to be there.

THE VERDICT

Whereas cautious Abu Dhabi is popping out of hibernation, it is nonetheless a shock to see simply how sleepy the airport is. But when meaning no queues and quick service, then sleepy is nice.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★½