Passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport jumped nearly 25 per cent year-on-year in August, boosted by residents returning from their holidays and an increase in tourist arrivals.
A total of 1.9 million passengers passed through Abu Dhabi airport in August, versus 1.5 million in the same month a year ago, data from Abu Dhabi Airports showed.
“The month of August recorded another double-digit growth in passenger numbers for Abu Dhabi International Airport, which is due to residents flying back from their vacations in time for the beginning of the school season,” said Ahmad Al Haddabi, the chief operations officer at Abu Dhabi Airports.
“Additionally, Abu Dhabi is increasingly being seen a preferred tourism and business destination as well as one of the fastest-growing aviation hubs in the region.”
In August, the top five routes from the capital were Bangkok, London Heathrow, Doha, Manila and Bahrain, contributing to 15 per cent of the traffic.
Aircraft movement rose 15.4 per cent to 13,395, as opposed to 11,608 in August 2013.
James Hogan, the chief executive and president of Etihad Airways, said last week that the airport would be equipped with special bridges by December to receive the world's biggest passenger aircraft – the Airbus A380.
Separately, cargo activity at Abu Dhabi airport rose by 9.9 per cent in August to 66,215 tonnes.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (Iata) said yesterday that global air freight in August showed strong growth. The Middle East, North America and Asia reported the highest growth.
Middle Eastern carriers reported cargo growth of 7.8 per cent, which is below the year-to-date average of 9.6 per cent.
“The Middle East continues to expand strongly on its growing links to developing markets, as well as diversifying into important commodities such as perishables,” Iata said.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
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