Abu Dhabi International Airport welcomes over seven million passengers in first half of 2012

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) announced today that Abu Dhabi International Airport welcomed 7,050,646 passengers during the first half of 2012, a significant increase of 22.8% compared to the same period in 2011. Abu Dhabi International Airport also witnessed a surge in aircraft movements, which climbed by 3.6% to a total of 58,937 movements during January-June 2012.

This double digit growth in passenger traffic has been propelled by Etihad Airways dynamic performance, the routes and frequencies of new airlines, and the ongoing increase in business and tourism across the capital.

Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer at ADAC, said: “The first half of 2012 has been an extraordinary period for Abu Dhabi International Airport, as the highest volumes of passenger traffic in airport history have been recorded. The strong double digit growth reveals the increasing attractiveness of Abu Dhabi as a leisure and business destination and also as an aviation hub, and we look forward to developing the airport and its services over the coming years to allow and encourage further growth.”

“Together with our home-base carriers and our other airline partners we intend to further grow the airport’s network, which will strengthen our competitive position towards the world’s leading airports, as well as provide travellers with an efficient attractive international hub. We are confident that 2012 will continue to be a successful year for ADAC as we gear up for the 18th World Routes Forum in September, which will assist in expanding air services out of Abu Dhabi International Airport, and for the Formula 1 2012 season in the capital, whilst we also prepare for the commencement of construction works at the Midfield Terminal.”

The traffic report for cargo shipments indicated a total of 268,157 tonnes in the first half of 2012, registering a 15.7% increase versus that of the same period in 2011. Increased Etihad, Air Berlin and Lufthansa cargo volumes in particular are driving the steady growth in cargo shipments, which increased by 29.1% in the month of June alone compared to the same month last year.

The report also revealed the top routes from Abu Dhabi International Airport during the first six months of 2012 to be Bangkok, Doha, Manila, London and Jeddah, generating collectively 20% of the traffic at the capital’s airport. Furthermore, the Far East achieved a 38% share of passenger movements, followed by the Middle East with 25% and Europe with 21% during the first half of 2012 at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The capital’s airport also welcomed 1,232,298 passengers during the month of June this year, with a significant growth of 25.3% compared to same period last year, with 9,858 aircraft movements registered during June 2012. The traffic report for the month of June 2012 also showed that cargo shipment was also on the rise as it increased by 29.1% in comparison with the same period last year, with the airport handling 47,632 tonnes of cargo.

This surge in growth in June follows the growth registered in the month of May, where Abu Dhabi International Airport welcomed over 1,182,000 passengers recording a robust 25% growth over last year’s figures. Cargo traffic was also on the rise in May 2012 reaching 45,940 tonnes, with an increase of 14% compared to May 2011.

In the first half of 2012 ADAC recorded several key achievements and milestones, amongst which is receiving the “Best Airport in the Middle East Award” at the prestigious 2012 World Airport Awards, ranking the capital’s airport as the third best airport in the world within the size/capacity category of up to 20 million passengers per year. During the same period, the company signed the contract for the construction of the flagship Midfield Terminal Building, moving ahead with the development of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s infrastructure to increase its capacity to over 30 million per year.