India and UK markets lift Abu Dhabi International passenger traffic in 2016

UAE. Passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport hit 24.5 million in 2016, an increase of +5.1% year-on-year. The figures were buoyed by double-digit growth from certain key markets, notably India (+13.3%) and UK (+11.4%). India remains the leading origin and destination market with a share of 18.1% or around four million passengers.

Abu Dhabi Airports Acting Chief Executive Officer Abdul Majeed Al Khoori said: “The figures released today reveal consistent growth in passenger traffic, demonstrating that Abu Dhabi continues to expand as a global hub processing more passengers than ever before.”

Al Khoori said: “Etihad Airways accounted for 76% of traffic throughout last year, more than 18.6 million passengers. We are always looking, together with our stakeholders, for more opportunities to grow and meet the demands of our various markets.”

Abu Dhabi Airport table

Traffic throughout Terminal 3 rose to around 15 million passengers — a +12.6% increase compared to 2015. Volumes were boosted by the introduction of the Smart Travel System, installed in Terminals 1 and 3 in the first quarter of 2016. The system allows passengers to use automated check-in, bag drop and boarding facilities, in addition to unmanned passport control gates equipped with biometric verification functions and facial recognition technology.

Al Khoori noted the importance of innovation in technology. “Smart Travel, which is the first of its kind in the region, has been highly successful and decreased processing times by 70%. Not only does this greatly improve customer experience and satisfaction, it also allows us to process significantly more passengers. Ultimately such improvements contribute greatly to meeting the requirements of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and the Abu Dhabi Plan, both of which highlight travel and tourism as cornerstones of a diversified economy.”

In December, the airport handled 2,189,633 passengers, a +3.7% increase on December 2015.

abu dhabi airport departures 2
At 15 million passengers in 2016, Terminal 3 (used by Etihad) handles well over half of Abu Dhabi International’s traffic
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