Tom Cruise made a grand entrance at Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Midfield Terminal, where significant portions of his latest film were filmed. He arrived on the inaugural flight to the new terminal in preparation for the Middle East premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, taking place on 26 June 2023 evening at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.
To celebrate the movie, Cruise unveiled a custom Mission: Impossible design on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In a fitting tribute, the Midfield Terminal’s striking structure has also been adorned with a similar theme to acknowledge its role in the production. The terminal’s 315-meter roof hosted one of the film’s thrilling and technically intricate action scenes.
Elena Sorlini, Acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, expressed her delight at welcoming Tom Cruise and the Mission: Impossible team back to Abu Dhabi. She emphasized the pride in their involvement in the film and their contribution to positioning Abu Dhabi as a global talent magnet. The movie showcases the architectural magnificence, grand scale, and cultural elements of the iconic Midfield Terminal.
Audiences will get their first glimpse of the terminal’s interior when the film hits cinemas on July 13, 2023. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One showcases purpose-built sets at the airport, including an Etihad First Class Lounge, as well as captivating scenes set in the Liwa Desert.
Antonoaldo Neves, Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, hailed the partnership with Mission: Impossible, acknowledging it as clear evidence of the allure of Abu Dhabi as a destination. He commended Abu Dhabi and the Etihad team for exemplifying the emirate’s distinctive attractions, the new airport, and the airline itself within the movie.
Filming at the Midfield Terminal required meticulous preparation over 21 days, followed by seven days of production, involving a total of 762 cast members, crew, and suppliers. This marks the second time a Mission: Impossible movie has chosen Abu Dhabi as a filming location. In 2018, with the assistance of the UAE military, Abu Dhabi Film Commission, and twofour54, an exhilarating HALO skydiving scene was captured in the Emirate.
