UAE. Abu Dhabi Airports served 21.7 million passengers in the first nine months of 2024, an increase of +31.2% year-on-year.
This strong growth was sustained in Q3, with 7.7 million passengers passing through the group’s airports (mostly at Zayed International), up +27% compared to Q3 2023. On 2 August, Zayed International reported its busiest day on record, facilitating the travel of 92,677 passengers.
Abu Dhabi Airports said the “remarkable” surge in passenger numbers underlines Abu Dhabi’s growing prominence as a preferred hub for leisure and business travellers, particularly during the peak summer season.
Traffic was spurred by an expanded route network through existing airline partners plus the addition of new airlines, including Turkmenistan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, US Bangla, British Airways, Akasa Air, Flynas, Air Samarkand, and the resumption of Aeroflot’s seasonal operations.
Point-to-point passenger traffic for the first nine months grew +27.3% year-on-year to 10.3 million. Transfer traffic surged +36% to 10.9 million passengers.
Zayed International Airport is recognised as the Middle East’s fastest-growing airport in terms of international seat capacity, Abu Dhabi Airpors said, quoting the Official Airline Guide.
Aircraft movements also saw a positive trend, rising +10.2% in the first nine months to 185,485. London maintained its position as the top destination, followed by Mumbai, Kochi, Cairo and Doha.
Abu Dhabi Airports Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Elena Sorlini said: “We are thrilled to report these strong year-to-date results, which clearly demonstrate the pace and robustness of our growth across Abu Dhabi Airports.
“The addition of new airlines and the strong performance of our existing partners reflect the confidence in Abu Dhabi as a leading aviation hub.
“This confidence is also reflected in our cargo operations, and we remain committed to investing in our infrastructure and services to further enhance connectivity and trade, strengthening our position as a key player in the global aviation landscape.
“This impressive momentum positions Abu Dhabi Airports for continued growth, further solidifying its role in connecting Abu Dhabi to the world.” ✈
