Abu Dhabi International Airport reports 13.9% rise in passenger traffic in 2011

Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) in the UAE reported a 13.9% increase in passenger traffic to 12.4 million in 2011.

It has also announced a 10% rise in cargo traffic to 481,500t from the previous year.

ADAC chief executive officer James Bennett said: "The continuous increase in Abu Dhabi International Airport's passenger traffic shows a true reflection of the growth that the emirate is witnessing in trade, industry and tourism, and illustrates the significant investment and vision by Adac in creating a world class airport.

"In December, we welcomed 1.147 million passengers, recording 17.8% uplift in total passenger traffic. This made [it] the busiest month of the year for Abu Dhabi international Airport and the sixth consecutive month where we recorded more than a million passengers."

Previously, the air transport hub had reported 11.7% increase in traffic during first half of the 2011 to 5,742,283 passengers. Aircraft movements too had increased by 3.5% during the period compared with the first half of last year, with a total of 56,888 movements.

During third quarter the UAE's gateway airport recorded a 15% increase in passenger traffic compared with the same period in 2010, serving some 3.3 million passengers.

Etihad Airways had played a key role in the rise of ADIA's traffic with its new aircraft and destinations served during 2011, which had contributed a 6.2% rise in aircraft movement to 90,281, with Etihad recording 61.4% of the total aircraft traffic in ADIA.

Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC), which owns the airport, is expected to announce a plan for its Midfield Terminal Building as part of $6.8m redevelopment and expansion plan to meet future demand.

 

Image: ADIA has reported a 13.9% rise in passenger traffic to12.4 million passengers when compared with 2010.Photo: Nickj.