Abu Dhabi Sees 3.4m Passengers in Q1

More than 3.4 million passengers passed through Abu Dhabi International Airport during the first quarter of 2012, a 21.2 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) said.

The airport handled 29,123 flights during the first quarter of the year, while cargo traffic also rose 11 per cent throughout the three months.

The airport saw a significant surge in traffic during March this year, with passenger numbers reaching 1,196,000 – an increase of 22 per cent compared to the same month last year.

“The double-digit growth in the number of passengers reflects the level of attraction the emirate holds as a business and tourism destination in the region, and the dynamic developments of Etihad and other airline partners,” said Harib Al Hameli, VP Operations, Abu Dhabi International Airport, ADAC.

Doha, Bangkok, London, Manila and Jeddah registered the highest traffic from the airport during the first quarter of 2012.

Regionally, the Far East ranked as the top spot generating 39 per cent of the airport traffic, followed by the Middle East with 25 per cent, and Europe with 22 per cent.