ABU DHABIUnited Arab Emirates, 19 August 2024 /PRNewswire/ – Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of the emirate’s five airports, has released passenger traffic figures for the first half of 2024.

Between January and June 2024 Abu Dhabi’s airport network has reached an impressive milestone with passenger traffic reaching almost 14 million, a significant increase of 33.5% compared to the same period last year.

Zayed International Airport (AUH) alone handled over 13.7 million passengers, representing a remarkable increase of 33.8%. This growth was complemented by a 24.3% increase in aircraft movements, reaching 84,286 movements in the first half of 2024.

In addition to the increase in passenger numbers, Abu Dhabi Airports expanded its customer base by adding new airlines and launching new routes. In particular, US Bangla now offers flights to Chittagong And Dhakaand British Airways now offers daily flights to London Heathrow. The network of destinations continues to grow, improving connectivity and service.

The newly renamed Zayed International Airport is a tribute to the vision of the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Based on the richness of Emirati culture and a strong foundation of Arab heritage, it is designed to redefine the airport experience for passengers and partners and sets new standards for how an airport can enhance a traveller’s journey. The airport will play a key role in Abu Dhabi’s plans to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for international visitors and a strategic hub for tourism, trade and connectivity.

Located just eight hours flight from two-thirds of the world’s population, the new terminal at Zayed International Airport is one of the largest buildings of its kind in the world. The building offers a stunning blend of modern materials, natural light and space and is the latest addition to Abu Dhabi’s iconic skyline and ushers in an ambitious new era of transport and aviation infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.

The terminal has been designed to provide the most innovative, safe and seamless airport experience, meeting the highest quality and service standards demanded by the aviation industry and passengers. It covers 742,000 square metres of built area and can handle 79 aircraft and 11,000 passengers per hour, doubling the capacity of the old terminals as it can handle up to 45 million passengers per year. Effective immediately June 2024enabled connections to over 120 major destinations around the world with more than 30 international airlines.

Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the X-shaped building improves operational efficiency and passenger flow. It features four themed pillars, each inspired by Abu Dhabi’s Natural landscapes of desert, sea, city and oasis. Each pier points in the direction of the corresponding landscape.

The renaming of Zayed International Airport was intended to honor the legacy of Abu Dhabi through shapes and forms inspired by the original landscape and history as well as the airport itself: a traditional dhow boat, a date palm, the desert sun, the Qasr Al Hosn Fort and the iconic terminal building merge into the airport logo and proudly express Abu Dhabi’s Identity and invites passengers to write their own story.

With world-leading facilities including biometric technology to streamline the screening and boarding process, 35,000 square metres of retail and hospitality space, and 163 outlets for passengers to shop, dine and enjoy, the new terminal enhances the overall experience for all passengers, especially international visitors. Passengers can look forward to a speedy journey as they can go from curb to gate in just 12 minutes, minimising waiting times and maximising efficiency.

The airport is home to one of the largest environmental art works in the world. Middle EastWeighing approximately 100 tonnes, Sana Al Nour is made from 1,632 curved glass panels. The traditional Barjeel design channels air and light between the departure and arrival levels, improving daylighting and saving energy through natural ventilation techniques.

Zayed International is the first and only airport in the world to use a facial recognition system with nine touchpoints at different points in the airport experience to reduce waiting times and provide a hassle-free, seamless journey through the airport. A modern baggage handling system can process up to 19,200 bags per hour. Orientation within the airport is made easier by the augmented reality wayfinder, which enables real-time navigation throughout the terminal. It is also the only airport in the region and one of only 15 airports worldwide to offer pre-clearance through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), allowing travelers to bypass security lines upon arrival in the U.S.

Sustainability is a core element of Zayed International, a Green Building with PBRS certification and 3 Pearls at the design stage. Over 90% of the steel and 82% of the wood used in the construction of the new terminal are certified and sustainably sourced, reducing raw material consumption and promoting the circular economy. More than 70% of the plants used in landscaping the terminal area are native and adaptable species that are drought and salt resistant. Water-efficient fittings and fixtures have been installed throughout the airport, resulting in a 45% improvement over Estidama benchmark scores.

Elena SorliniManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “The first half results demonstrate Abu Dhabi Airports’ continued success in attracting more airlines and passengers from around the world. Abu Dhabi Airports will continue to invest in its facilities and services to enhance the passenger experience and wider value proposition to satisfy existing partner airlines and shared customers and to attract new ones. With these strong results, the airports group is well positioned for continued growth and success in the future.”

SOURCE: Abu Dhabi Airports