Abu Dhabi airport reports 67% spike in passenger traffic

State-owned Abu Dhabi International Airport has reported solid passenger and cargo growth in the first six months of 2023.

The airport, the base of Etihad Airways, handled 10,258,653 passengers in the first half, an increase of 67 percent compared with the same period a year ago.

Total flight movement reached 67,835 in the first six months, up 36 percent from 49,919 flights a year earlier.

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The Abu Dhabi airport currently connects to 114 destinations served by 27 airlines. 

Mumbai had the highest passenger traffic with 461,081 passengers, followed by London (374,017), Delhi (331,722), Kochi (316,460) and Doha (261,117).

Frank McCrorie, chief operations officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Our passenger traffic figures for the first half of 2023 highlight our extensive efforts to support Abu Dhabi’s increasingly vibrant business, tourism and aviation sectors.”

During the first half of 2023, the airport handled 259,461 tonnes of air freight. Cargo is expected to gain momentum as Abu Dhabi strives to emerge as a top air cargo and logistics hub by signing new partnerships. 

Abu Dhabi International Airport in April welcomed the inaugural flight of SF Express, signalling the start of the global freight company’s regional operations.

Dubai International Airport in February registered a 127 percent jump in annual passenger traffic to 66.1 million in 2022.

The airport is forecast to welcome 78 million passengers in 2023 as the UAE prepares to host major international events, including the Cop28 climate conference later this year.