Sharjah International Airport welcomed a total of 17,101,725 passengers in 2024, marking an impressive 11.4 percent increase compared to 15,356,212 passengers in 2023. The Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) recently revealed that the total number of flights also rose to 107,760, marking a 9.5 percent expansion compared to 98,433 flights in 2023.
Commenting on the remarkable results, Ali Salim Al Midfa, chairman of SAA, emphasized that these record-breaking results reflect the airport’s status as a global hub for air transport and logistics. He attributed this success to Sharjah Airport’s commitment to providing top-tier services and pioneering travel experiences that align with its strategic plan to accommodate 25 million passengers annually by 2027.
Airport adds 7 new destinations in 2024
Sharjah Airport expanded its network of new flight routes for passengers in 2024 by adding seven direct destinations to various global capitals and cities. Air Arabia launched direct flights from Sharjah Airport to Warsaw and Krakow in Poland, Athens in Greece, Vienna in Austria, and Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Additionally, Fly Oya introduced direct flights to and from Tripoli, Libya.
In 2024, the number of international airlines operating through Sharjah Airport also increased, connecting passengers to over 100 global destinations. Six new airlines began operating flights via Sharjah Airport, including Fly Jinnah from Pakistan, UR Airlines from Iraq, Fly Oya from Libya, AJet from Turkey, Flynas from Saudi Arabia, and Iraqi Airways.
Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, director of SAA, highlighted the airport’s passenger growth as a reflection of Sharjah’s remarkable advancements in tourism, economic development and investment. These achievements are supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure, progressive governance, and robust legislative frameworks.
Cargo volumes surge 38.6 percent
Cargo handling at Sharjah Airport also saw unprecedented growth, with volumes increasing by a remarkable 38.6 percent to 195,909 tons compared to 141,358 tons in 2023. The airport also handled 14,035 tons through sea-air cargo operations, reinforcing its role as a key logistics hub.
Last year, Sharjah Airport significantly enhanced its air cargo efficiency, attracting new airlines. Kenya Airways began cargo operations from Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania, while UPS initiated weekly routes connecting the Far East, Sharjah and Europe. Tanzania Airlines also launched regular flights from Dar es Salaam through Kenya to Sharjah, and Qatar Airways Cargo inaugurated cargo routes between Doha and Sharjah.
Al Midfa added that the SAA continues to prioritize enhancing airport facilities, streamlining operations and promoting sustainability in alignment with the UAE’s aviation sector goals. This includes expanding partnerships with airlines and launching new travel destinations to meet the needs of passengers.
Read: UAE, Brazil formalize mineral exploration MoU for energy and mining collaboration
SAA’s key achievements
SAA showcased its innovative services and new projects at several prominent events, including ITB Berlin in March 2024, the World Travel Market in London and the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in May 2024. These participations reinforced Sharjah’s position as a key player in the global travel and tourism sector.
Last year, the SAA also engaged in key international visits to keep track of industry innovations. In April 2024, a delegation led by H.E. Ali Salim Al Midfa attended the Passenger Terminal Conference 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany. Additionally, an engineering team visited Italy to review the progress of Sharjah Airport’s new passenger terminal and central utility facility expansion.
To enhance traveler services, the SAA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sharjah Police to streamline services and security measures. In addition, it procured 67 advanced X-ray security systems to boost airport security.
