Abu Dhabi Airports revealed robust year-to-date passenger traffic figures on Tuesday, with 21.7 million passengers welcomed across its airports by September 30, 2024. This marks a significant 31.2% rise from the 16.5 million passengers recorded during the same period in 2023. The third quarter alone saw 7.7 million passengers, reflecting a 27% increase over Q3 2023, highlighting Abu Dhabi's escalating status as a favored hub for both leisure and business travelers, especially during the summer peak season.
The surge in passenger numbers is attributed to an expanded route network, facilitated by existing airline partners and the introduction of new carriers such as Turkmenistan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, US Bangla, British Airways, Akasa Air, Flynas, Air Samarkand, and the return of Aeroflot’s seasonal operations. This expansion underscores the rapid growth of Zayed International Airport (AUH), acknowledged as the fastest-growing airport in the Middle East regarding international seat capacity (Official Airline Guide). Notably, on August 2nd, AUH experienced its busiest day ever, handling 92,677 passengers.
Aircraft movements also saw an upward trajectory, with 185,485 movements year-to-date, representing a 10.2% increase from the 168,377 movements recorded in the same period of 2023. London retained its top spot as the most popular destination, followed by Mumbai, Kochi, Cairo, and Doha, showcasing its appeal. Point-to-point traffic surged by 27.3% compared to the previous year, with 10.3 million passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi, while transfer traffic jumped by 36% to 10.9 million passengers, reinforcing the emirate’s strategic position as a global travel hub.
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, expressed her delight: “These strong year-to-date results vividly illustrate the pace and strength of our growth across Abu Dhabi Airports. The addition of new airlines and the exceptional performance of our existing partners underscore the confidence in Abu Dhabi as a premier aviation hub. This confidence extends to our cargo operations, and we are dedicated to investing in our infrastructure and services to further enhance connectivity and trade, solidifying our role as a pivotal player in the global aviation sector.”
Cargo throughput also experienced substantial growth, reaching 572,000 metric tonnes year-to-date, a 23% increase from the 465,000 metric tonnes achieved in the same period of 2023. This growth is fueled by heightened demand for both belly-hold capacity and freighter services. To support this expansion, Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ) has entered into two Musataha agreements to boost its warehousing capabilities. These agreements include a 29,000-square-metre facility with MSM Logistics, involving a total investment of Dh85 million. Additionally, the agreement with Radius Group will result in the construction of a new Dh320 million warehousing facility in Al Falah District, spanning 140,000 square metres and offering over 90,000 square metres of advanced warehousing space.
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