Tag Archives: Abu Dhabi Airports

Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports) reported that it facilitated the travel of 13,983,885 passengers, marking a 33.5% increase compared to the first half of 2023. Zayed International Airport (AUH) alone facilitated 13,726,550 passengers, representing a 33.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023, exceeding expectations. This surge in passenger traffic was supported by a 24.3% rise in flight movements, with a total of 84,286 movemernts recorded during the first half of 2024 compared to 67,835 flights in H1 2023. Following strong performance during the first quarter, AD Airports expanded its customer base by welcoming two new airlines at Zayed International Airport in the second quarter, US Bangla with three weekly flights to Chittagong and four weekly flights to Dhaka, and British Airways serving London Heathrow daily. The airport operators’ network of destinations also expanded through the addition of year-round services to Sarajevo (Wizzair Abu Dhabi), Chandigarh (IndiGo) and Jaipur, Antalya, Bali and Gassim (Etihad) and Turbat (Pakistan International Airline), and seasonal flights to Trabzon (Air Arabia Abu Dhabi) and Nice, Mykonos, Santorini and Malaga (Etihad). Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at AD Airports, said: “Our traffic results for the first six months of this year are a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire team at Abu Dhabi Airports. We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which highlights the resilience of our teams, airline partners, and stakeholder community, as well as the robustness of our infrastructure during the peak operational season. We are enthusiastic about the future of Abu Dhabi’s tourism and trade prospects and the pivotal role our airports will play in boosting tourism and trade.” AD Airports also handled an impressive 254,300 tonnes …

Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airport Services have signed a contract to extend their longstanding partnership in providing ground services for passengers at Zayed International Airport. This agreement aims to further enhance the passenger experience by offering advanced and seamless services.This announcement coincides with Abu Dhabi Airport’s recent passenger traffic results, which witnessed a significant growth of 35.6% demonstrating the strong demand for travel. Both entities will collaborate on various initiatives to improve operational efficiencies, safety, and the quality of ground handling services, ultimately providing a world-class experience for travellers passing through Zayed International Airport. Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports said: “We are delighted to extend our existing partnership with Etihad Airport Services through this agreement. Together, we have continuously provided seamless, high-quality services to our passengers. Our recent passenger numbers demonstrate our incredible growth trajectory. As we continue to expand with more airlines and destinations, we are confident that Etihad Airport Services is the right partner for managing our ground handling operations. In this new chapter, our shared values and commitment remain resolute, in achieving excellence in every aspect of the airport experience.” Jubran Albreiki, General Manager at Etihad Airport Services said: “”This agreement marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Abu Dhabi Airports, reinforcing our commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. By leveraging our world-class ground handling services and expertise, we aim to complement the state-of-the-art terminal and deliver a seamless journey to our customers at Zayed International Airport.” Etihad Airport Services, a fully owned subsidiary of ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, will provide a comprehensive range of ground handling services. These include but are not limited …

Abu Dhabi Airports announced the appointment of Elena Sorlini as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Sorlini transitions into the role permanently after serving in an interim capacity since June 2023. Since joining Abu Dhabi Airports, Sorlini has overseen the successful opening of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new state-of-the-art Terminal A, which ranks among the largest airport terminals in the world. It has the capacity to host 45 million passengers annually and accommodate 79 aircraft at any given time, thereby strengthening the aviation sector’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy. Additionally, she has played an important role in maintaining the steady increase of passenger traffic numbers, which continue to experience year-on-year growth, as well as attracting new airlines and routes to Abu Dhabi, including the French national carrier Air France. His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor of Special Affairs at the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “On behalf of the board, we are delighted to welcome Elena Sorlini as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports. With her proven track record of success in the aviation sector, we have full confidence in her ability to lead the organization through its next phase of growth, underscored by our commitment to solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a global tourism destination and a leading aviation hub. I wish her all the best in her new role.” Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “I am honored to have been officially appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports. Following the opening of Terminal A, …

Abu Dhabi International Airport announced the airport’s traffic results for the first half of 2023 which show healthy figures and outstanding growth in passenger numbers, flights and cargo movement. The figures confirm a significant increase of 67% in passenger traffic as 10,258,653 passengers passed through Abu Dhabi international Airport between 1 January and 30 June 2023, compared to 6,158,376 passengers served during the same period last year. Abu Dhabi International Airport also recorded 67,835 flights, a notable increase of 36% compared to 49,919 flights during H1 2022. Abu Dhabi International Airport’s network continues to expand rapidly with 114 destinations served by 27 airlines during H1 2023. The destinations with the highest passenger traffic served by Abu Dhabi International Airport during the period included Mumbai (461,081), London (374,017), Delhi (331,722), Kochi (316,460) and Doha (261,117).

Abu Dhabi Airports announced that daily non-stop flights operated by Air France-KLM connecting Abu Dhabi and Paris will be resumed starting October 2023. The return of this route will create additional avenues for business, trade and tourism between Abu Dhabi and France. Abu Dhabi International Airport’s expanding network currently encompasses 114 passenger destinations in 61 countries with 23 airlines operating flights. Elena Sorlini, Abu Dhabi Airports’ Acting Chief Executive Officer, commented: “This renewed partnership between Abu Dhabi Airports and Air France contributes to bolstering the existing business relations between Paris and Abu Dhabi, while affirming our commitment to enhancing connectivity from and to the UAE’s capital. The highly anticipated resumption of flights reinforces Abu Dhabi International Airport’s standing as a gateway to the United Arab Emirates and the region. We look forward to catering to the diverse needs of travellers from France and facilitating commerce and cultural exchange between the two countries.” Angus Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Air France-KLM, added: “Air France is poised to reinstate daily non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Paris, further connecting the United Arab Emirates to Europe and beyond. Abu Dhabi has emerged as a major and rapidly growing destination in the Middle East, and we are proud to join hands with such a reputable airport owner and operator to elevate the city’s global presence and attract travelers seeking unique and enriching experiences.”

Iraqi Airways has added Abu Dhabi to its network started flights between Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). Flights will operate on Saturdays in a two-class configuration (Economy and Business Class) by modern Boeing 737-800. Iraqi Airways is planning to add more frequencies soon.

Abu Dhabi Airports released its passenger traffic results for 2022. From 1 January to 31 December 2022, 15.9 million guests used Abu Dhabi International, Al Ain International, Al Bateen Executive, Delma Island and Sir Bani Yas Island Airports – tripling the 5.26 million achieved in 2021. Announced on the sidelines of the World Cargo Summit in Abu Dhabi, the company’s 2022 traffic results also illustrated growth in other key areas of the business, including Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) across the five airports, which totaled 194,667 for the year. These figures showcase the integral role airports in Abu Dhabi continue to play in accommodating passengers travelling for both tourism and business purposes, as well as their increasing popularity as airports of choice for people making their way to and from regional and international destinations. H.E. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, Managing Director & CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “2022 was a remarkable year for Abu Dhabi in passenger traffic terms. It illustrates the emirate’s vast potential as an attractive destination to visit, live and work in. Our recent airport infrastructure investments, sustained excellence across customer service, operations, and ongoing collaborations with key stakeholders and government organisations, including the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, whom we work closely with to grow Abu Dhabi’s travel, tourism and business offering, enabling investment across industries, and welcoming new audiences to visit Abu Dhabi”. “Looking ahead, we are working towards readiness to accommodate even greater passenger traffic in 2023, which we anticipate, as higher numbers of international visitors come to the UAE for key events. Sustainability continues to play a big role in everything we do, from design to construction to operation and delivery. …

Abu Dhabi Airports has launched the region’s first PCR testing laboratory within an airport. The new state of the art RT-PCR lab offers fast COVID-19 testing within the Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to facilitate the resumption of air travel and assist with quarantine tracking procedures.  Designed to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of travellers and staff at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the new Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing process is free for arriving passengers and is one of the fastest in the world, with results available in approximately 90 minutes and the capacity to test more than 20,000 travellers and staff per day. Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Through partnering with Pure Health and Tamouh Healthcare, Abu Dhabi International Airport is now able to offer travellers state-of-the-art rapid testing services delivered by a dedicated laboratory facility. The introduction of the RT-PCR COVID-19 testing is a milestone achievement in our ongoing efforts to facilitate the safe resumption of international air travel and support the recovery of the aviation industry.” “The fact that this is the first airport in the region to contain its own dedicated PCR testing laboratory is testament to our commitment at Abu Dhabi Airports to continuously innovate and look for new ways to deliver a safe, smooth and seamless travel experience for all our passengers. The new fast testing facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport, developed in partnership with many of our stakeholders, will not only enable passengers to confidently travel to Abu Dhabi, but significantly enhance the efficiency of our operations while supporting global efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19,” added Al Hashmi.

Abu Dhabi Airports announced the introduction of wellness ambassadors to Abu Dhabi International Airport. This team of specially trained service professionals are part of Abu Dhabi Airports’ commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of passengers throughout their journey through the airport. Abu Dhabi Airports’ Wellness Ambassadors will support passengers by answering common questions relating to keeping healthy during travel, provide advice and recommendations on how to stay safe and provide additional support to passengers who need it. Mohammed Husain Ahmed, General Manager of Abu Dhabi International Airport, said, “We are pleased to introduce our Wellness Ambassadors, who are a reflection of Abu Dhabi Airports’ commitment to delivering exceptional services and prioritising health and safety. The ambassadors will ensure every traveller feels cared for and comfortable at Abu Dhabi International Airport.” “We have introduced a comprehensive range of new precautionary measures – ranging from touchless elevator systems to autonomous sterilisation robots – and are confident that passengers will find their journey through Abu Dhabi to be smooth and seamless, safe and assuring.” added Ahmed. In addition to addressing passenger needs, the Wellness Ambassadors work to ensure that the airport and its travellers continue to comply with all the relevant UAE Government regulations and guidelines issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).This entails encouraging social distancing amongst travellers, monitoring the regular sanitisation of surfaces, communicating testing and isolation procedures, and providing hand sanitiser and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves to passengers.

Abu Dhabi Airports is supporting global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring the safe, secure and efficient transport of essential supplies and equipment through Abu Dhabi International Airport, in addition to facilitating a number of repatriation and humanitarian flights. It is the primary gateway to Abu Dhabi and a key global transit hub for passengers and airfreight, offering connections to the world’s key markets. Its specialist cargo facilities offer significant capacity for transhipments and the efficient handling of time and temperature-sensitive goods. Shareef Al Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “This is a critical time for the aviation sector and our nation as we come together to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our employees, stakeholders and passengers as we continue to operate our airports and facilities in order to provide our communities and healthcare centres with the goods and equipment they need.” “We do not take this responsibility lightly and have mobilised special teams to enhance our cargo operations and facilitate the necessary repatriation and humanitarian flights departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport. I am especially proud of our employees’ continued dedication and commitment during this challenging time,” added Al Hashmi. Waleed Salem Al Hemeiri, Acting Deputy Chief Operations Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “We have implemented a range of special measures across its cargo and passenger operations, including workforce cluster management, thermal imaging cameras at key transit areas, free COVID-19 tests for passengers and employees and roster realignment to ensure the continued safe and efficient management of vital supplies and repatriation flights.” “We are coordinating with all relevant authorities, partners and suppliers at …