In 2023, the UAE’s airports welcomed over 134 million passengers, and are projected to receive 140 million people in 2024. This achievement underscores the resilience and competitiveness of the UAE’s aviation industry, which continues to garner international confidence. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), recently announced the significant milestone the UAE’s aviation sector has achieved.
Key achievements
Al Suwaidi attributed the remarkable growth in passenger traffic to the robustness of the UAE aviation sector. In 2023, the UAE’s airports witnessed around 38 million arrivals and 37.805 million departures. Moreover, they recorded 58.328 million transit passengers. Al Suwaidi attributed that growth to the UAE’s successful hosting of major international conferences towards the end of the year and the robust tourism sector.
Expressing optimism for the year ahead, Al Suwaidi anticipates further expansion in passenger traffic in the UAE’s airports. He expects the number to potentially reach 140 million. He highlighted ongoing expansions at the UAE’s international airports. This includes the inauguration of Zayed International Airport – Terminal A and the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport. These developments will facilitate increased flight operations to diverse destinations, further bolstering the UAE’s position as a global aviation hub.
Strong airport infrastructure
Al Suwaidi underscored the UAE’s strong airport infrastructure, boasting over 521 aircraft belonging to national carriers and a total of 924 registered aircraft in the country. Additionally, he noted the presence of multiple local and foreign aircraft maintenance companies, training institutions, and specialized medical facilities catering to civil aviation. This reinforces the UAE’s status as a leader in civil aviation, boasting some of the world’s best airports. Regarding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for amateurs, Al Suwaidi noted that over 22,000 such vehicles are registered with the GCAA. However, their operation remains suspended until further notice.
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Future initiatives
Looking ahead, Al Suwaidi outlined strategic projects that aim to enhance airspace management and ensure smooth air traffic flow. The UAE has allocated over AED700 million to upgrade services at the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Center over the next decade. Furthermore, the GCAA is actively implementing transformative projects and initiatives to foster the economic and operational development of the UAE’s airports and aviation sector.
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