Abu Dhabi’s former airport terminal, inaugurated in 1982 and decommissioned in 2023, has been officially listed on the emirate’s Modern Heritage Register. The move by the Department of Culture and Tourism safeguards more than 40 sites under the 2016 Cultural Heritage Law, which prevents demolition and prioritises restoration. The former Abu Dhabi International Airport (Terminal 1) has already been repurposed as a cultural venue, recently hosting Nomad Abu Dhabi. Other newly protected landmarks include Al Ain Museum, founded by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Corniche Hospital, Madinat Zayed Bus Station and the Cultural Foundation. Officials say the initiative preserves architectural and civic landmarks that reflect Abu Dhabi’s rapid development and cultural identity.
