Abu Dhabi airport passenger traffic up 17.2% in H1

Air passenger traffic through Abu Dhabi’s airport grew 17.2 per cent in the first six months of the year on increased flights and new routes, its operator said on Thursday.

Passenger numbers rose to 11.11 million from 9.48 million a year earlier, it said in a statement.

Aircraft movements increased by 15 per cent to 84,938 while cargo volumes rose 9.6 per cent to 414,203 tonnes.

June passenger numbers were up 10.8 per cent to 1.85 million.

New destinations were added by airlines operating out of Abu Dhabi airport to destinations including Madrid, Pune, Edinburgh, Venice and Entebbe. Carriers also added flights on existing routes.

India remained the top destination with traffic to and from subcontinent jumped 57.8 during the period.

Saudi Arabia, Germany, Pakistan and the United Kingdom followed as the largest markets for passengers to and from Abu Dhabi, the operator said.

Fast-growing carrier Etihad, which dominates at Abu Dhabi International Airport, has increased its access to Europe by purchasing stakes in several airlines, which are now feeding into growth at Abu Dhabi.

A multi-billion dollar redevelopment and expansion of the airport is under way, designed to increase capacity more than 45 million passengers per year.

A second runway and a third terminal have been completed.