Abu Dhabi posts 14% rise in 2013 air passengers

Jacqueline Daly, June 9th, 2013

Passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport rose 14% in the first four months of 2013, its operator has announced.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) said in a statement that more than 5.2 million passengers used the airport between January and April.

The airport also welcomed 42,735 flights, representing a 9.5% increase compared to the same period last year.

Cargo traffic also increased, with 209,880 tonnes of cargo passing through the airport, representing a 20.2% increase compared to the first four months of 2012.

Destinations in India, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Pakistan registered the highest traffic from Abu Dhabi International Airport during the period this year, ADAC added.

Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer at ADAC, said: "As the capital's airport continues to register double-digit growth in passenger traffic, ADAC will continue to invest in Abu Dhabi International Airport."

In March and April, the airport received over 1.3 million passengers each month, recording growth of 15% in March, and 8.6% in April compared to the same period last year, he added.

The airport also handled over 10,000 aircraft movements in both March and April while cargo volumes reached 59,474 tonnes in March, a 25.6% increase, and 51,511 tonnes in April, up 7.9% over the same period last year.