Skip to content Skip to Search
Skip navigation

Abu Dhabi airport reports 67% spike in passenger traffic

By Pramod Kumar
Abu Dhabi airport passenger growth Abu Dhabi Media Office
Total flight movement at Abu Dhabi airport reached 67,835 in the first six months, up 36 percent on a year earlier

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.

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.

Latest articles

Terminal, City, Outdoors

Private sector to propel Sharjah’s economic growth

Global rating agency S&P has affirmed Sharjah’s rating at “BBB-/A-3” and maintained a stable outlook citing strong private-sector activity as a key driver of economic growth. The emirate, one of seven that makes up the UAE, is expected to average 2.8 percent growth between 2024 and 2027, supported by manufacturing, construction, transport, and trade sectors.  […]

Dar Al Arkan Q1 profit rises 31% on higher property sales

The net profit of Saudi Arabian real estate company Dar Al Arkan rose 31 percent in the first quarter of 2024 to SAR154 million ($41 million).  The earnings increase was driven by higher property sales, a fall in operating expenses, and higher non-operating income from Islamic deposits. Property sales increase drove revenue higher by 13 […]

Mineral products contributed the highest value at OMR839 million among Oman's non-oil commodity exports, a 143 percent surge year on year

Oman’s trade surplus rises 21% on higher crude exports

Oman’s trade surplus rose 21 percent year on year to OMR1.7 billion ($4.4 billion) by the end of February 2024, according to government data. The total value of merchandise exports reached OMR4.4 billion during the period, a 20 percent increase, compared to OMR3.7 billion a year ago, state-run Oman News Agency reported, citing statistics from the […]

Smasco will offer 120 million shares in its IPO, or a 30 percent stake

Smasco market cap to hit $800m on Saudi listing

Smasco, the Saudi Manpower Solutions Company, has set its final initial public offering (IPO) price at SAR7.50 per share, giving it a market capitalisation of SAR3 billion ($800 million) at listing. The company will offer 120 million shares, or a 30 percent stake, raising SAR900 million from the listing. This month, the indicative price range […]