UAE Air Traffic Records 14% Increase In February, Highlights GCAA

In a recent update from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Ahmed Al Jallaf, Assistant Director-General of the Air Navigation Services Sector, revealed a significant uptick in air traffic within the UAE. February saw a 14 percent increase in air traffic compared to the same period last year. This growth aligns with the upward trajectory observed in 2023, where air traffic surged by nearly 19 percent from 2022.

Al Jallaf shared these insights while attending the 21st meeting of the Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group in Abu Dhabi, which commenced today and will conclude on 8th March. A notable highlight was a record-setting day in February 2024, where the UAE witnessed its highest level of civil aviation activity, with approximately 2,900 air movements.

The robust growth in air traffic is part of a broader trend of recovery and expansion within the UAE's aviation sector. Data from the GCAA indicated that over 134 million passengers traveled through the country's airports in 2023. This represents a 33 percent increase from 2022 and a more than 5 percent rise from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Such figures underscore the sector's resilience, competitive edge, and growing international trust.

Looking ahead, Al Jallaf anticipates continued growth in air traffic throughout both halves of 2024. This optimism is supported by significant expansions at several of the country's airports. Noteworthy developments include the opening of Passenger Terminal A at Zayed International Airport and ongoing expansions at Al Maktoum International Airport. Additionally, national airlines are expanding their fleets, further bolstering the sector's capacity.

The UAE's commitment to sustainable aviation also received a boost with the third conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) held last November. Coinciding with COP28, the conference led to an international agreement on a global framework for low-carbon and sustainable aviation fuel. This agreement marks a significant step towards reducing the aviation industry's carbon footprint and highlights the UAE's leadership in promoting sustainability within civil aviation.

The continued growth and expansion of the UAE's aviation sector, coupled with its pioneering efforts in sustainability, position it as a key player on the global stage. With ongoing infrastructure developments and international collaborations, the future looks promising for civil aviation in the UAE.

With inputs from WAM