Abu Dhabi Airports Witnesses Remarkable 35.6% Passenger Growth In First Quarter Of 2024

Abu Dhabi Airports has reported a significant increase in passenger traffic for the first quarter of 2024, with over 6.9 million passengers facilitated through its network, marking a 35.6% rise from the 5.1 million recorded during the same period in 2023. This growth is attributed to a strong global demand for passenger and commercial services, leading to an 11.4% increase in flight movements, totaling 61,737 compared to the previous year.

Zayed International Airport, a key component of this network, alone welcomed more than 6.8 million passengers, benefiting from the services of the newly launched terminal. This has led to a significant increase in both movements by 26.6% and passenger traffic by 36.0%. The airport has also expanded its airline database with the return of Turkmenistan Airlines and the introduction of Hainan Airlines flights to Haikou, China, bringing the total number of regular scheduled operators to 29.

London emerged as the top destination city with nearly 290,000 passengers, followed closely by Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, and Doha. Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports, highlighted the success of their airports in attracting more airlines and passengers globally. She emphasized the commitment to investing in facilities and services to enhance passenger experience and attract new airline partners.

In addition to passenger traffic growth, cargo traffic saw a substantial increase in Q1 2024, with 162,000 tonnes of air freight handled across all airports. This represents a 25.6% increase from the 129,000 tonnes recorded during the same period in 2023. The surge in cargo traffic underscores Abu Dhabi's pivotal role in global trade and commerce, facilitated by increased shipments of general cargo and specialized products such as express deliveries and temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals.

The remarkable performance in both passenger and cargo traffic during the first quarter of 2024 positions Abu Dhabi Airports for further growth and success in the future. This achievement reflects the strategic importance of Abu Dhabi as a global hub for travel and trade.

With inputs from WAM