UAE. Abu Dhabi International Airport handled an all-time high number of passengers in 2007 with traffic rising by +31% year-on-year to 6.9 million. Aircraft movements rose +15%.
The year closed out in style with December passenger numbers ahead by +40.4% over the same month in 2006 to 730,404. Aircraft movements rose +19.9% compared to December 2006 to 7,811.
“The strong traffic seen during 2007 is a direct result of Abu Dhabi’s growing prominence as an attractive tourist and business destination,” said H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the owner and operator of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports (see www.adac.ae for more details).
The airport’s strong growth has been driven by the rapid expansion of its home base airline, Etihad Airways. In 2007, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates expanded with nine new destinations, increasing the number of average weekly services from 463 in January to 719 in December.
Growth was also spurred by a +10% increase in the number of other airlines operating at the airport, including the commencement of services by Oman Air, Ethiopian Airlines and SAMA.
“It is very pleasing to see the continued expansion of our largest customer, Etihad Airways, and the commencement of so many airlines taking advantage of the quick and efficient services of the airport and the underlying economic growth of Abu Dhabi,” Al Mazrouei said.
Alongside the record passenger growth, the airport continued to deliver fast and efficient services that won it high recognition from passengers and from the industry.
Recent awards include “˜The best airport in the Middle East and Africa in terms of service quality, courtesy, and customer service’ by Airports Council International; “˜Provider of the best baggage delivery service in the world’ by Skytrax’; “˜The best provider of airport security services in the Middle East’ by ITP Business Publishing; and the best station award by Sri Lanka Airlines.
ADAC said its commitment to customer service will be further demonstrated in 2008 as new facilities come on line.
These include a 5 million passenger capacity third terminal, which will almost double the current capacity to 12 million passengers. Featuring eight gates, including two that are A380 compatible, the new terminal will meet the demand of Etihad Airways and foreign airlines until the Midfield Terminal Complex is ready in around two years.
ADAC is also expanding its existing Satellite area to create more room for additional airport services and more seating space. Thanks to this expansion, some major international catering outlets, notably McDonalds and Starbucks, will shortly be offering their services.
ADAC has just opened the new Yas Lounge at Terminal 1, specifically catering to the economy class travellers who stop over at the airport for more than six hours before joining their next flight.
“ADAC will continue to deliver on its commitment to the Government and the people of Abu Dhabi to provide world class customer service,” Al Mazrouei concluded. “Our plans for the future will deliver best-in-class facilities to ensure this airport is a fitting gateway for a world-class city and the Emirate as a whole.”
About Abu Dhabi Airports Company
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. On 28 September 2006 ADAC officially took over the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports. It will handle the redevelopment and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport, including the new Midfield Terminal designed to increase the airport’s overall capacity to 20 million passengers by 2010.
ADAC also incorporates Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF). Established in 1984 with just five shops, ADDF has grown into a multi-award winning travel retail organization and one of the largest in the region.
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