Abu Dhabi Airports' passenger traffic triples in 2022 as travel demand rebounds
Date
2/13/2023 3:28:57 AM
(MENAFN) Abu Dhabi's five airports surpassed their annual passenger traffic projections, recording triple the number of passengers in 2022 compared to the previous year, signaling a significant recovery in leisure and business travel from the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Abu Dhabi Airports, a total of 15.9 million passengers utilized the airports, which included Abu Dhabi International, Al Ain International, Al Bateen Executive, Delma Island, and Sir Bani Yas Island airports. This number represented a 202 percent increase from the 5.26 million passengers recorded in 2021.
The statement from Abu Dhabi Airports noted that 2022 was an exceptional year for the emirate in terms of passenger traffic, demonstrating Abu Dhabi's vast potential as a desirable destination to visit, live and work in. Jamal Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi Airports, hailed the record number of passengers and noted that it was a reflection of the emirate's allure to people across the globe.
This surge in passenger traffic was partly due to Abu Dhabi International Airport attracting new airline customers in 2022. Moreover, Etihad Airways, the UAE's national carrier, launched new routes, increased flight frequencies, and resumed destinations that were suspended during the pandemic, in response to the robust recovery in travel demand. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that Middle Eastern airlines experienced a 157.4 percent YoY rise in passenger traffic in 2022.
This passenger traffic boost could indicate the Gulf state's swift recovery from the pandemic and show that the tourism and aviation industries in the region are back on track. The rapid recovery of the sector is essential to Abu Dhabi's economy, which relies heavily on oil and gas revenue. The uptick in tourism could not have come at a better time as the UAE prepares to host the World Expo, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to Dubai.
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