World’s first CNN Traveller Café opens at Abu Dhabi Airport

CNN Traveller café, situated in Terminal 3, the dedicated Etihad Airways Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport, was opened today in a ceremony. CNN Traveller café gives visitors a comprehensive CNN experience including: CNN International broadcast in HD on a number of screens, with integrated audio system for each table; curated online, social and visual CNN content displayed on a media wall comprising four state-of-the-art Samsung digital signage displays; latest news headlines in an LED-based RSS news ticker installed above the serving counter. The café offers customers a wide range of food and beverages in CNN Traveller-branded packaging and crockery. Items on the menu include local specialties such as fatoush or taboule salad as well as a selection of open sandwiches, breakfast and all-day sandwiches and wraps. Customers also have access to free Wi-Fi.

Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Board Member of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “At Abu Dhabi Airports we are always on the lookout to partner with innovative companies like SSP to bring leading concepts to our airports. This direction is in line with our continuous commitment to provide passengers with world-class services and sensational experiences each time they travel through any of our airports. CNN Traveller café is the first CNN-branded news inspired café in any airport in the world and Abu Dhabi International Airport presents an ideal location as it poses as one of the fastest growing global aviation hubs connecting regions across the world.”

In the first 10 months of 2014, Abu Dhabi International Airport saw 16.5 million passengers pass through its terminals, 8.5 million of which were through Terminal 3, and registered 20.5% increase in passenger movements compared to the same period in 2013.

“This is echoed in the preparation for the iconic Midfield Terminal Building’s (MTB) 28,000 square meter commercial space currently under construction, where some of the most creative retail, food & beverage, and hospitality concepts from around the world will be housed. The MTB will also incorporate the very latest designs and systems in all aspects of its operations,” H.E. added.

„We are excited to be launching the world’s first CNN Traveller cafe as part of an expansive consumer engagement initiative,“ said Rani R. Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International. „The CNN Traveller experience is another way for business and leisure travellers to connect with CNN, the world’s number one news brand which engages with more consumers globally on multiple platforms than anyone else. We’re delighted that Abu Dhabi is the location for our first airport cafe as this is one of CNN’s major global production, newsgathering and commercial hubs.“

Kate Swann, CEO of SSP said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the world leading media brand CNN and with Abu Dhabi International Airport to introduce this highly innovative new concept. The café is ideally suited to the unique passenger demographic at the airport, and we are certain that it will be very popular with both local and international travellers.“