Over 9 million passengers through Abu Dhabi Airport in 2008

Abu Dhabi International Airport handled a record 9.02 million passengers in 2008.

With passenger traffic up 30.2%, from 6.9m in 2007, Abu Dhabi International Airport closed the year on a high having reached the target milestone which adds to the continuing and historic growth and development the airport is undergoing.

As world-wide industry trends show a general slowing of passenger traffic, growth rates for December reflected a more modest growth pattern but were still extremely positive at an increase of 12.1%.

Cargo in the last month of 2008 saw a slight decline over December figures last year but overall cargo figures, for the full 12 months, saw a steady 12.2% increase – a total of 353,820 tonnes (arrival and departure cargo only) handled.

Aircraft movements at Abu Dhabi International Airport saw a similar 13.2% increase up to 93,163 (2008) over 82,287 (2007).

“ADAC is absolutely delighted to have crossed another historic milestone and passed the nine million a year passenger figure,” said HE Khalifa Al Mazrouei, ADAC Chairman.

“We are grateful for the ever increasing number of passengers who, quite clearly, are looking to Abu Dhabi as an airport of choice in the UAE and region.”

Expansion plans at the airport will take another giant step forward in the next few weeks as Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new Terminal 3 goes fully operational, further boosting the airport passenger capacity to 12 million per year.

The new facility will be predominantly used by Etihad Airways and its passengers although, in addition to the increased capacity it will offer the airport, the new terminal will also offer a brand new retail and F&B environment.

Tthe top five most popular city destinations travelled to, from Abu Dhabi, in December 2008 were: Doha (first), London, Cairo, Bangkok and Bahrain.

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