Kohn Pedersen Fox has been granted design approval for its new teminal at Abu Dhabi airport.

The emirate’s executive council gave the green light to the gateway design with uniquely engineered, long-span arches that reach 50 metres at their highest point.

The £4.4 billion Midfield Terminal Complex is one of a slew of projects for which finance was approved by the Emirate’s executive council last month, as reported in BD. Other funded projects include more than 20,000 homes and 24 new schools.

The announcement brought to an end months of speculation that the emirate was scaling back its development ambitions in response to the global financial crisis and the Arab Spring.

Anthony Mosellie, KPF principal-in-charge, said the airport scheme was conceived as a gateway to the city.

“The terminal complex is designed to serve Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways well into the 21st century and act as a key driver for the UAE’s economy and growth for decades to come,” he added.