Abu Dhabi Airports recorded more than 15.8 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a 13.1 per cent increase over the same period in 2024, underscoring the aviation sector’s remarkable upward trajectory.
This marks the 17th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in passenger traffic, firmly establishing Abu Dhabi Airports as a vital engine of the UAE’s economic diversification and global connectivity strategy.
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Central to this growth is Zayed International Airport (AUH), which alone handled 15.5 million passengers between January and June, representing a 13.2 per cent year-on-year increase. AUH also recorded 93,858 aircraft movements during this period, up 11.4 per cent from 84,286 flights in the first half of 2024.
Across Abu Dhabi’s five commercial airports, total flight movements reached 133,533 — a 9.2 per cent rise — demonstrating the emirate’s growing appeal as both a transit hub and a final destination.
The steady climb in passenger numbers comes amid an ambitious network expansion strategy. In the first six months of the year, 16 new destinations were added to Abu Dhabi’s global reach. This includes China Eastern Airlines’ four-times-weekly service to Shanghai, which is set to become daily in September, Air Seychelles’ six weekly flights, Fly Cham’s new connection to Damascus, and IndiGo’s fresh routes to Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Vishakhapatnam. These additions are positioning AUH as IndiGo’s most connected hub in the UAE and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a major node in the global aviation landscape.
Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, credited the consistent growth to operational resilience, strategic collaborations, and a clear long-term vision. “Despite operational headwinds in early 2025, our mid-year results reflect our agility, dedication, and collaborative partnerships. Sustaining 17 quarters of strong growth underlines our role not just as an airport operator, but as a vital facilitator of Abu Dhabi’s tourism, trade, and investment ambitions,” she said.
Aviation experts said the second half of 2025 is poised to build on this momentum. “With increasing international airline partnerships, the ongoing recovery and expansion of tourism, and the accelerating pace of global trade, Abu Dhabi Airports is well-positioned to close the year with record-breaking numbers,” said Manoj K. John, founder and CEO of AeroConnections, said.
“Major events, continued infrastructure upgrades, and the expected spike in travel during the year-end holiday season are likely to further elevate the emirate’s status as a premier aviation hub,” said John.
Cargo operations have also seen substantial gains, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising significance in global logistics and e-commerce. In the first half of 2025, Abu Dhabi Airports handled 344,795 tonnes of cargo — an impressive volume driven by strategic investments and partnerships.
One of the key highlights was the signing of a joint venture agreement with JD Property, the infrastructure subsidiary of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com. The partnership will establish a cutting-edge 70,000-square-metre logistics hub in Abu Dhabi, designed to meet growing east-west trade flows, especially in the fast-expanding e-commerce and specialised cargo sectors across the GCC and Mena regions.
Abu Dhabi Airports also reached several strategic milestones during the period. Rehabilitation work at Sir Bani Yas Airport was completed, supporting eco-tourism efforts in the Al Dhafra region. AUH earned the prestigious 3 Pearl Estidama rating for sustainable construction and was named the ‘Best Airport at Arrivals Globally’ for the third consecutive year at the Airports Council International (ACI) ASQ Awards. These accolades reaffirm the airport’s reputation as a world-class gateway that meets the highest global standards of service and sustainability.
A collaboration with Bombardier advanced at Al Bateen Executive Airport with the development of a dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility was a key factor strengthening Abu Dhabi’s aviation ecosystem. This move aims to establish the emirate as a regional centre of excellence for business aviation services.
Meanwhile, a new memorandum of understanding with TAQA Distribution will explore the deployment of next-generation utility technologies across airport operations, aligning with Abu Dhabi Airports’ long-term vision of digital innovation and environmental stewardship.
issacjohn@khaleejtimes.comis Managing Editor at media and has over 45 years of experience in top-tier newspapers across UAE. A seasoned business writer and economic analyst, he brings unmatched insight into the geopolitics and geoeconomics shaping the Gulf and India.
