Sharjah Airport has revealed its aviation, travel, and cargo performance results for the third quarter of 2024, showcasing steady growth across all sectors. During this period, passenger traffic exceeded 4.392 million, reflecting a 10 percent rise compared to the same timeframe last year. Flight movements also saw an increase of 6.7 percent, totaling 27,758 flights operated by 35 different airlines.
Cargo handling success
The airport continued its impressive trajectory in cargo handling, reaching 46,284 tons—a significant year-on-year increase of over 32 percent. Additionally, sea-air cargo operations experienced a 7.8 percent growth, managing 3,236 tons.
Economic contribution
Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA), highlighted that Sharjah Airport plays a crucial role in the emirate’s diverse economic landscape, particularly in tourism, trade, and business. This positive trend in travel, aviation, and cargo enhances the airport’s competitive position, reinforcing its ambition to be among the top five regional airports.
Alignment with regional growth
Al Midfa pointed out that the airport’s rising operational performance aligns with Sharjah’s broader economic development, solidifying its status as a premier destination for tourism, investment, and business. The airport is committed to ambitious development plans that aim to provide world-class services, fostering passenger and airline confidence, and ensuring a safe, smooth travel experience through innovative technologies and sustainable practices.
Expansion project initiatives
The Sharjah Airport Authority is actively progressing on a new expansion project designed to elevate the airport’s capacity to 25 million passengers per year by the end of 2027. This initiative includes enhancements to cargo facilities to accommodate increasing demand, enabling the airport to efficiently manage higher volumes of operations and cargo.
New flight routes
Earlier this month, Sharjah Airport and Air Arabia celebrated the launch of the first direct flight from Sharjah to the Maldives on October 27, 2024. This further marks a significant milestone for Sharjah within the global travel and tourism framework. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Hassaan Waheed, deputy ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the UAE, alongside officials and directors from both Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) and Air Arabia. Air Arabia will operate daily flights between Sharjah Airport and Velana International Airport in Malé, Maldives, utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft.
Recent airline additions
Last month, Sharjah Airport welcomed the inaugural flights of the Saudi airline flynas, expanding the range of carriers providing scheduled services to and from the UAE airport. Flynas plans to operate seven weekly flights from Jeddah to Sharjah Airport and two weekly flights from Madinah, using Boeing 737 aircraft.
Strategic growth plans
The Sharjah Airport Authority has laid out a strategic plan aimed at boosting the airport’s capacity to 25 million passengers. This plan emphasizes attracting international airlines, increasing flight operations, and expanding the destination network through partnerships with key stakeholders. The authority is also dedicated to enhancing services by leveraging the latest technologies and development projects.
Supporting economic development
Sharjah Airport acts as a vital gateway, supporting the emirate’s economic activities, tourism, and business sectors. By expanding connectivity and improving aviation operations, it attracts investments and now serves over 100 international destinations.
Progress on expansion project
The AED2.4 billion ($650 million) expansion project for the airport is on track, focusing on upgrading passenger terminals and central facilities. Recently, an engineering team led by the Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority visited Italy to oversee the project’s progress and ensure its successful execution.
Passenger and cargo growth
In the first half of 2024, Sharjah Airport reported a significant increase in passenger numbers compared to the prior year, welcoming over 8.3 million travelers. The airport also experienced growth in aviation movements and substantial increases in cargo handling operations. In January 2024, the Sharjah Airport Authority announced that passenger numbers at Sharjah Airport surpassed 15.3 million in 2023, up from 13.1 million in 2022, reflecting a growth rate exceeding 17.4 percent. Moreover, aircraft movements reached a record high of over 98,000 flights, compared to 87,000 in 2022, marking an increase of over 12 percent. The total freight volume processed through Sharjah Airport in 2023 exceeded 141,000 tons.
These metrics highlight the emirate’s significant position on the global travel map and underscore the quality of services provided by the airport to both travelers and businesses.
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