Abu Dhabi Airports See 35.6% Increase in Passenger Traffic in Q1 2024

Abu Dhabi Airports Soar with 35.6% Increase in Passenger Numbers

Abu Dhabi Airports has announced a remarkable 35.6% growth in passenger numbers for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The operator of the Emirate’s five airports facilitated travels for over 6.9 million passengers from January to March 2024, marking a significant surge from 5.1 million passengers in the same period in 2023.

The increase in passenger traffic can be attributed to strong global demand for passenger and commercial services, with a total of 61,737 flight movements recorded during the first quarter of 2024, representing an 11.4% increase compared to 2023.

Zayed International Airport played a key role in this growth, welcoming over 6.8 million passengers during the first quarter of 2024. The airport’s new terminal, which opened in February, expanded its airline database with the return of Turkmenistan Airlines and the launch of Hainan Airlines operating to Haikou, China. This brought the total number of regular scheduled operators to 29 airlines by the end of Q1 2024.

In addition, British Airways recently relaunched its operations from Zayed International Airport after a four-year hiatus, operating daily flights from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow. The airport authorities highlighted that these developments further solidify Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading hub, with significant increases of 26.6% in movements and 36.0% in passenger traffic.

London maintained its status as the top destination city, with nearly 290,000 passengers traveling to and from the English capital. The top five destinations also included Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, and Doha.

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, expressed satisfaction with the continued success of the airports in attracting a growing number of airlines and passengers from around the world. She emphasized the commitment to investing in facilities and services to enhance the passenger experience and attract new airline partners.

Cargo operations also saw significant growth in Q1 2024, with 162,000 tonnes of air freight handled across all airports. This marked a 25.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023, driven by increased shipments of general cargo and specialized products.

The impressive performance in both passenger and cargo operations highlights Abu Dhabi’s role in facilitating global trade and commerce. With strong results in the first quarter of 2024, Abu Dhabi Airports is well-positioned for further growth and success in the future.