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Abu Dhabi Posts 10.3pc Air Traffic Growth

DUBAI — Abu Dhabi Airports Company, operator of the country’s international airport in capital, on Saturday announced a 10.3 per cent increase in passenger traffic growth for July and attributed the rise to expatriate workers’ holidays.

Traffic figures for the month show an impressive growth despite the economic downturn as passenger numbers reached 923,124, 10.3 per cent up, compared with 837,129 passengers in July 2008, according to data released by the company.

Last week, Dubai International Airport, the Middle East’s aviation hub, reported a 12.6 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic for the month of July.

“While the outlook for our industry remains subdued, Abu Dhabi International Airport continues to achieve impressive growth. We are benefiting from strong market fundamentals in Abu Dhabi and the stable economy,” Mohammed Al Bulooki, Vice-President of Airline Marketing and Aeronautical Revenue, said.

The substantial increase in traffic can be attributed to the start of school holidays as well as the growing range of choices available to passengers at the airport, with new routes launched by Etihad to destinations including Athens, Larnaca and Istanbul, increased frequencies, and new airlines such as Bahrain Air, Sun Air, Jat Airways, Safi Airways and Elite Aviation/Blue Wings establishing routes from the airport.

Traffic peaked on July 30 with 32,895 passengers arriving, departing and transferring through the airport, while the daily average was 29,779.

“July was a fantastic record breaking month for the airport and we look forward to continued progress towards our goal of becoming a global destination for commerce and tourism,” Al Bulooki said.

India remained the largest market and the primary driver of traffic growth with 18.9 per cent increase in passengers, while Pakistan retained its second place. The UK was the airport’s third largest market.

Australia continued its rapid passenger growth with an increase of 133.7 per cent as a result of increased frequencies and the new Athens–
Melbourne connectivity.

London emerged as the busiest destination in July with 50,900 passengers, followed by Bangkok with 40,465 passengers. Doha took third place 
with 37,361. In fourth and fifth place came Cairo and Bahrain with 36,108 and 35,773 passengers respectively. These top five destinations together accounted for 21.7 per cent of all traffic through 
the airport.

Passenger traffic in the Middle East and Gulf region has continued to rise, bucking the negative trend for international air travel in many other places.

The airport, according to the company, recorded rising movements for cargo traffic, which grew by 2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year, and cargo flight loads also witnessed a 6.1 per cent growth.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com