Abu Dhabi: Over 2.1 million passengers used Abu Dhabi International Airport in September, marking a five per cent increase year-on-year, the airport’s operator announced on Wednesday.
The figure brings the total number of passengers using the airport between January 1 and September 30 to over 18.5 million — up six per cent compared to the same period in 2015.
In terms of destinations, passenger traffic to India grew 10 per cent in September compared to the same month in 2015. India maintained its position as top destination, with 355,328 passengers flying there throughout September.
Passengers to Qatar totalled 70,627 — an 18.4 per cent increase over September 2015 — as Saudi Arabia rose to become the third busiest destination, with traffic to and from the country increasing by 19 per cent.
Meanwhile, traffic to and from Egypt rose by 37.9 per cent to 57,885 passengers.
Figures issued by Abu Dhabi Airports also showed a decline in cargo in September, falling 3.8 per cent year-on-year to 64,626 metric tonnes. Cargo in the first nine months of 2016 was also lower year-on-year, falling 5.2 per cent.
Total aircraft movements in September reached 14,489, marking a 0.4 per cent increase, though total movements in the first nine months were 0.9 per cent lower year-on-year.