Hajj boosts Abu Dhabi traffic

ABU Dhabi International Airport’s growth rates have so far bucked worldwide industry trends of declining traffic.

November saw an 11.6 per cent increase in cargo: up to 30.272 tonnes this year compared to 27, 137 last. Year to date figures for January to February are up 14 per cent: up to 327,335 this year from 287,123 last.

During the Hajj period, Abu Dhabi International Airport handled a total of 14,787 hajjes (pilgrims), which increased passenger traffic to Saudi Arabia by 34.5 per cent.

“The continued growth of the airport’s home airline, Etihad Airways, continues to be a significant driver in growing traffic at Abu Dhabi International, as well as increasing our efforts to increase frequencies and routes with other airlines,” said Rudy Vercelli, chief executive officer of ADAC.

“While we have welcomed six new airlines to Abu Dhabi airports in this calendar year alone, we are also working closely with existing partner airlines – most recently, Singapore Airlines has announced an increase to a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Singapore, from March next year.”

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