65% increase in Abu Dhabi Airports’ operating profit from Jan-Aug

Abu Dhabi Airports has achieved 65 per cent increase in earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBIDA)/ operating profit during the January-August period this year compared to the same period in 2016. This was announced after the company’s executive team weekly meeting that took place at Al Ain International Airport last week, led by Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, Acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports. The company grew its operating revenue by 26 per cent, which impacted the 65 per cent EBIDA increase for 2017. One of the key contributors to this increase is the passenger facilitation charge introduced in July 2016. Previously, UAE airports were some of the few around the world that didn’t implement transfer passenger fees. In response to market change, the government approved the charges and hence these were implemented across all airports in the second half of 2016. Abu Dhabi Duty Free and Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone were other key contributors to the revenue increase through the growth trend registered in passenger spend, and the addition of new retailers and concessionaires, as well as the increase in property and space rentals across Abu Dhabi Airports.

On this achievement, Abdul Majeed Al Khoori commented, “We are very proud of our performance this year. Abu Dhabi Airports’ mission and goals revolve around a highly effective and efficient management of resources and manpower to maintain positive trend in profit growth. Supported by planning a smart and versatile strategy, we were able to turn challenges into opportunities and register record achievements in all aspects of our business.”