Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of five airports in the emirate, has announced a significant surge in passenger traffic during the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a remarkable increase of over 35% compared to the same period in 2023. The total number of passengers served reached 6.9 million, compared to 5.1 million in Q1 2023.
The positive momentum in flight movements also marked an 11.4% upswing, with 61,737 movements recorded during the first quarter of 2024. Zayed International Airport (AUH) particularly witnessed substantial growth, welcoming over 6.8 million passengers alone, accompanied by a notable increase of 26.6% in traffic movements and 36% in passenger traffic at the newly launched terminal.
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Key developments during this period include the expansion of AUH’s airline database with the return of Turkmenistan Airlines and the launch of Hainan Airlines operating to Haikou, China, bringing the total number of regular scheduled operators to 29 airlines.
London retained its position as the top destination city, with nearly 290,000 passengers traveling to and from the UK capital. Other top destinations included Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, and Doha, reflecting the airport’s connectivity to major global hubs.
Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports, expressed satisfaction with the Q1 results, highlighting the continued success in attracting airlines and passengers worldwide. She reiterated the company’s commitment to enhancing facilities and services to improve the passenger experience and attract new airline partners.
In addition to the surge in passenger traffic, cargo traffic also experienced significant growth, with 162,000 tonnes of air freight handled across all airports, marking a substantial increase of 25.6% compared to Q1 2023. This growth underscores Abu Dhabi’s pivotal role in facilitating global trade and commerce, driven by increased shipments of various goods, including express deliveries, temperature-controlled, and pharmaceutical products.
