Abu Dhabi International Airport, the main airport of the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, has achieved a remarkable milestone in the first half of 2023. According to Abu Dhabi Airports, the company that operates and manages the airport, the passenger traffic crossed the 10 million mark for the first time in its history, showing a significant increase of 67 percent compared to the same period last year.
This impressive growth reflects the airport's efforts to support Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a leading global destination for business, tourism, and aviation. The airport has expanded its network to 114 destinations served by 27 airlines during H1 2023, offering more choices and convenience to travelers. The top five destinations with the highest passenger traffic were Mumbai, London, Delhi, Kochi, and Doha.
The airport also recorded a notable increase of 36 percent in the number of flights, reaching 67,835 flights during H1 2023. This demonstrates the airport's operational excellence and capacity to handle large volumes of traffic efficiently and safely. The airport has also invested in enhancing its infrastructure and facilities, such as the state-of-the-art Midfield Terminal Complex, which is expected to open soon and increase the airport's annual capacity to 45 million passengers.
In addition to passenger traffic, the airport handled 259,461 tonnes of air freight during H1 2023. The airport is poised to emerge as a leading air cargo and logistics hub in the region, as it has forged new strategic partnerships with global freight leaders, such as SF Express, which launched its regional operations from Abu Dhabi in April 2023.
Abu Dhabi International Airport's outstanding performance in H1 2023 has also been recognized by various awards and accolades. The airport won the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) award for Best Airport at Arrivals Globally, reflecting its commitment to providing a world-class customer experience. The airport also received the Skytrax COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating of five stars, confirming its adherence to the highest standards of health and safety protocols.
Abu Dhabi International Airport's success story in H1 2023 is a testament to its vision of becoming a preferred airport in the region and beyond. By delivering service excellence, expanding its network and capacity, enhancing its infrastructure and facilities, and forging new partnerships, the airport aims to continue its growth trajectory and support Abu Dhabi's economic and social development.
