Abu Dhabi International Airport is finalising designs for the massive X-shaped midfield terminal, according to Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) Architects.

When completed, Abu Dhabi International Airport will offer as much as 40,000 sq m of retail space when it opens the new midfield terminal in late 2010.
The Dh21 billion ($6.8 billion) plan also includes expanding cargo capacity from 150,000 tonnes to two million tonnes, the creation of a new control tower and second runway and a third terminal featuring eight gates large enough for the Airbus A380 superjumbo.
The X-design will provide travellers with a centrally located shopping area, the architect said. Dubai International Airport, for example, has an estimated 10,000 sq m of shops. A driving factor in the design is to prevent leakage, or loss of revenue, when Abu Dhabi residents fly out of other UAE airports.
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art free trade zone at the airport. Occupying a built-up area of over 7 million sq m, the free zone will offer investors an impressive package of world-class facilities and services. 
Clusters of amenities will be brought under one roof and all the required facilities will be conveniently integrated to ensure that investors receive the best service.
The creation of a free trade zone is in response to a large-scale development economic development in the capital emirate.