Abu Dhabi airports’ nine-month passenger jumps 31.2%

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Abu Dhabi airports registered a record 31.2 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in passenger traffic during the first nine months of 2024, serving 21.7 million passengers compared to 16.5 million in the same period a year ago.

The growth in passenger traffic was more pronounced in Q3 2024, with Abu Dhabi airports serving 7.7 million passengers, a 27 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period a year earlier, as the emirate has emerged as a preferred hub for business and tourism.

The expansion of route networks through existing airline partners, coupled with the addition of new airlines such as Turkmenistan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, US Bangla Airlines, British Airways, Akasa Air, Flynas, Air Samarkand, and the resumption of Aeroflot’s seasonal operations, significantly boosted passenger traffic.

“The addition of new airlines and the strong performance of our existing partners reflect the confidence in Abu Dhabi as a leading aviation hub. This confidence is also reflected in our cargo operations, and we remain committed to investing in our infrastructure and services to enhance connectivity and trade further,” said Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports.

Abu Dhabi’s main airport, Zayed International Airport, processed a record-breaking 92,677 passengers on August 2, its busiest day ever.

The aircraft movements at Abu Dhabi airports surged by 10.2 per cent YoY to reach 185,485 year-to-date (YTD), up from 168,377 in the first nine months of 2023. London maintained its position as the top destination, followed by Mumbai, Kochi, Cairo, and Doha.

Point-to-point traffic surged 27.3 per cent to 10.3 million passengers, while transfer traffic soared 36 per cent to 10.9 million.

The amount of cargo handled at Abu Dhabi airports rose by 23 per cent to reach 572,000 metric tonnes YTD, up from 465.000 metric tonnes in 2023, driven by increased demand for both belly-hold capacity and freighter services.

Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone is bolstering its warehousing capabilities with two new Musataha agreements: a 29,000-square-meter facility with MSM Logistics (Dhs85m) and a 140,000-square-meter facility with Radius Group in Al Falah District (Dhs320m).

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