24 Apr 2016 , Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Airports has today launched its reading campaign, in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, as part of the nationwide “Year of Reading” - by opening a library at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The library is located in the link between Terminals 1 and 3, and will provide passengers with access to a range of multi-lingual books. It was officially inaugurated by the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, H.E. Afra Al Sabri, Undersecretary Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director of Library Management at Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA), and H.E. Eng. Mohamed Al Mazrouei, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports.

2016 was declared the “Year of Reading” by H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, with the aim of motivating people to read more. 

Abu Dhabi Airports has also launched several internal initiatives to promote reading amongst staff. These include book displays in the company’s headquarters, and a selection of free books being distributed to all employees. 

Partners and concessionaires of Abu Dhabi Airports are being encouraged to roll out similar supporting initiatives within their businesses, including the distribution of free books in airport lounges, cafes and restaurants.  

H.E Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports commented: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our library at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and we thank Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority for working with us on this important project. Abu Dhabi Airports is playing its part in promoting a culture of reading, knowledge transfer and education, and we hope that our passengers will make great use of this facility. Reading can be very relaxing and is the perfect way to make time pass while waiting for your flight!”

H.E. Afra Al Sabri, Undersecretary, Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, said: “We are pleased to be supporting such initiatives that deliver the vision of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, for the “Year of Reading”. This campaign highlights the importance of reading and the critical role it plays in elevating knowledge and education standards amongst youth and the entire society.”

Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director of Library Management at Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, said: "We have committed our efforts this year to promote reading to create a healthy cognitive environment, and the opening of a library at Abu Dhabi International Airport consolidates these objectives by providing a fountain of knowledge for travelers. Evoking the words of the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE: ‘The education of our people is a great wealth. We are proud of our educated nation because through knowledge and science we will open the horizons of a glorious future’. By providing greater access to literature through creative means such as this, we honor the embodiment of this vision and contribute to the 2016 Year of Reading initiative," he added.