Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports) reported strong growth in passenger traffic, flight movements and cargo volumes for the first half of 2024, the operator said on Wednesday.
From January 1 until June 30, 2024, AD Airports facilitated the travel of 13,983,885 passengers, a 33.5 percent increase compared to the first half of 2023.
Zayed International Airport (AUH) alone facilitated 13,726,550 passengers, a 33.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge in passenger traffic was supported by a 24.3 percent rise in flight movements, with a total of 84,286 movements recorded during the first half of 2024 compared to 67,835 flights in H1 2023.
Welcoming new airlines
Following the strong performance during the first quarter, AD Airports expanded its customer base by welcoming two new airlines at Zayed International Airport in the second quarter, US-Bangla with three weekly flights to Chittagong and four weekly flights to Dhaka, and British Airways serving London Heathrow daily. The airport operators’ network of destinations also expanded through the addition of year-round services to Sarajevo (Wizzair Abu Dhabi), Chandigarh (IndiGo) and Jaipur, Antalya, Bali and Gassim (Etihad) and Turbat (Pakistan International Airline), and seasonal flights to Trabzon (Air Arabia Abu Dhabi) and Nice, Mykonos, Santorini and Malaga (Etihad).
“Our traffic results for the first six months of this year are a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire team at Abu Dhabi Airports. We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which highlights the resilience of our teams, airline partners, and stakeholder community, as well as the robustness of our infrastructure during the peak operational season. We are enthusiastic about the future of Abu Dhabi’s tourism and trade prospects and the pivotal role our airports will play in boosting tourism and trade,” said Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO at AD Airports.
Solidifying cargo handling
AD Airports also handled 254,300 tonnes of cargo year-to-date, underscoring the emirate’s vital role in global trade. Strategic partnerships and infrastructure enhancements have driven this achievement. Key initiatives included a partnership with Astral Aviation and Etihad Airways to optimise cargo flows between Africa and the UAE. A new DHL airside facility was inaugurated during the second quarter aimed at boosting capacity, and the finalisation of the design phase of the new East Midfield cargo terminal, supporting the goal of handling 1.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2030. These efforts solidify Abu Dhabi Airports’ position as a key global gateway for cargo and trade.
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