The Indian financial capital Mumbai emerged as the most popular destination from Abu Dhabi International Airport during June as the airport reported a 6.6 per cent increase in passenger figures during the first half of the year for arrivals, departures and transit.
Etihad Airways, which flies to the city along with Indian carrier Jet Airways, started flying its 496-seat A380 aircraft daily from May. Etihad now flies thrice daily to Mumbai besides Jet Airways’ double daily service. Etihad has a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways.
During June, there was a 26 per cent rise in traffic to Mumbai from Abu Dhabi compared to the same month last year as 70,300 people flew from the UAE capital to the Indian city.
The figures include departures, arrivals and transit traffic.
Other popular destinations included Doha and Jeddah, where passenger figures grew by 12 per cent in June to 60,395 and 58,816 people respectively.
About 11.84 million passengers, a 6.6 per cent increase year-on-year, passed through Abu Dhabi airport during the first six months.
“January and March have been the busiest period for Abu Dhabi International Airport in the first half of the year, with passenger traffic crossing 2 million in both of these months,” said Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, the acting chief executive of Abu Dhabi Airports.
Cargo volumes at the airport fell by about 6 per cent year-on-year during both June and the first half. The airport handled 389,191 tonnes of cargo during the first half, compared to 414,203 tonnes in the first half of last year.
“Cargo traffic globally has been doubly affected by more transshipments occurring via slower but cheaper sea freight and also because of lower economic trade coming out of big exporting nations like China and India,” said Saj Ahmad, an analyst at London’s StrategicAero Research.
Total aircraft movement at the airport dropped by 4.6 per cent during June, and by 0.5 per cent during the first half.
“A number of general aviation flights have moved to Al Bateen Executive Airport and no longer operate at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which contributed to the overall decrease of aircraft movements,” said Abu Dhabi Airports late Tuesday.
General aviation flights include corporate jet and public service flights but exclude scheduled passenger flights.
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