Abu Dhabi International Airport sees 11.7% increase for first half of 2011

Aircraft movements also grew in tandem by 3.5% compared with the first half of last year, with a total of 56,888 movements taking place at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The report further indicates a steady growth in Cargo throughput at Abu Dhabi Airport as the volume reached a total of 231,733 tonnes in the first half of 2011 registering a 10.4% increase versus that of the same period in 2010.

June recorded a strong growth with 983,096 passengers using Abu Dhabi International Airport and registering a 13.6% increase compared to the same in June 2010. The recent growth is attributed to the beginning of the summer holidays together with additional frequencies of Etihad and the other airlines, including the new services of Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong.

Eng. Ahmed Al Haddabi, chief operating officer at ADAC said: “Abu Dhabi International Airport continues to enjoy a healthy and steady growth in passenger numbers as the Emirate of Abu Dhabi continues to grow as a major business and leisure destination internationally. ADAC is working relentlessly to support this trend and drive it a step further by carrying out more improvements and developments at the airport, as it aims to deliver the best services to travellers ensuring the best in speed, comfort and satisfaction.”

The report revealed the top routes from Abu Dhabi International Airport during the first half of this year to be London, Bangkok, Manila, Doha and Jeddah, generating collectively 20% of the traffic at the Capital’s airport. Furthermore, the Far East achieved a 40% share of passenger movements, followed by the Middle East with 26% and Europe with 20% during the same period at Abu Dhabi International Airport.