Abu Dhabi passenger traffic surges 38.6% in first half

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the owner-operator of Abu Dhabi International Airport, announced a 38.6 per cent growth in passenger traffic in the first half of 2008.

Cargo handled in the first half also enjoyed steady growth, up 15.8 per cent at 172,762 tonnes, with aircraft movements up 16.8 per cent over the same period in 2007.

Figures for the second quarter alone saw passenger figures grow at a comparatively more modest rate of 29.7 per cent; yet, in relation to international norms, the growth rates are extremely healthy, ADAC said in a statement yesterday.

The monthly figures for June 2008 (against June 2007) were consistent, with passenger numbers up 35.6 per cent, cargo up 13.2 per cent and aircraft movements in solidly positive territory at 14.1 per cent.

Strength

"It is clear that Abu Dhabi is currently enjoying a reversal or 'bucking' of the industry's international trends which demonstrates the strength and growth of Etihad Airways, and the increasing understanding Abu Dhabi has as a natural, strategic and competitive hub for long-haul transit traffic connecting East and West," said Rudy Vercelli, chief executive officer of ADAC.

"Although the growth rates here are much higher than international levels, they are more common from a regional standpoint and passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi Airport remains in line with anticipated projections," added Vercelli.

The soon-to-be-opened Terminal 3 demonstrates Abu Dhabi International Airport's need to grow and accommodate the influx of passengers it is now receiving and the new five million passenger facility - set to be fully opened later this year - will do just that by bringing the total passenger capacity at the airport to over 12 million.

The full use of facilities at Terminal 3, including immigration areas, baggage handling and the airport's new retail environment is scheduled to be fully operational towards the end of 2008. The incremental or phased opening of the terminal started earlier in the year and a number of its gates are now being used.

While Abu Dhabi's Terminal 1/1A reported the strongest growth of the existing terminals with a 33 per cent growth, Terminal 2 saw a 30 per cent rise in traffic due to the start of operations this year by the likes of Sama and NAS air.

ADAC also released the top five most popular city destinations travelled to from the UAE capital in June. Doha topped the list, followed Cairo, London, Manama and Jeddah. These five cities represented 17 per cent of total traffic through Abu Dhabi International Airport during the month in review.