Abu Dhabi aviation history - in pictures

An aerial shot of a plane over Abu Dhabi in the early 1960s after taking off from a sand runway close to Sultan bin Zayed the First (Muroor Road) and 17th Street. Photo: David Riley
Passengers wait with their suitcases for a flight at Abu Dhabi's sand airstrip. Photo: BP Archive
On approach to Abu Dhabi's first airfield. The photograph was taken in the mid-1960s. Photo: Michael Stokes
Al Bateen Airport, pictured in the 1970s, replaced the sand strip. Photo: Al Ittihad
Concorde makes an appearance at Al Bateen Airport in August, 1974. The visit was part of a demonstration tour to drum up new customers but also to prove the jet’s capability in hot weather. Photo: Peter Alvis
Abu Dhabi International Airport opened in 1982. It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu with the idea that planes would surround a satellite, so they could arrive and depart quickly. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
The ceiling of Abu Dhabi airport, said to be designed like a palm tree against the sky. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
The circular design of Abu Dhabi airport's terminal placed the gates close to each other so people could access planes quickly. Delores Johnson / The National