Abu Dhabi Airports hits record 29 million passengers in 2024

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of the UAE capital’s five major commercial airports, has announced a significant milestone in its 2024 performance, reporting over 29 million passengers, marking a 28.1 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

The growth was driven by Zayed International Airport (AUH), which saw the launch of 29 new routes, connecting passengers to more than 125 destinations.

AUH welcomed eight new airlines to its network last year, including British Airways, Air Astana, Aegean Airlines, US Bangla Airlines, Akasa Air, Hainan Airlines, Flynas, and Turkmenistan Airlines. This resulted in a 10 per cent increase in aircraft movements across the five airports, from 226,362 in 2023 to 249,747 in 2024, driven by strong demand from key markets such as the UK, India, Qatar, and Egypt.

Elena Sorlini, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “2024 was a highly successful year for Abu Dhabi Airports, marked by record-breaking passenger traffic, significant cargo growth, and the successful completion of key infrastructure projects.”

She added, “These achievements highlight our commitment to delivering a world-class travel experience and strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a leading global aviation hub. We are deeply grateful for the support of our stakeholders and airline partners, this strong performance positions us for continued progress and reinforces our contribution to Abu Dhabi's economic diversification.”

In addition to passenger growth, Abu Dhabi Airports saw a 21 per cent increase in cargo traffic, handling 678,990 tonnes in 2024.