Abu Dhabi Airport registers record traffic in half year 2007

The number of aircraft movements increased 4% during the same period, rising from 6,286 in June 2006 to 6,538.

During the first half of 2007 (January to June) total passenger traffic reached the milestone of 3.071 million, an increase of 27% over the 2.414 million passengers in the same period in 2006. In the same period aircraft movements increased 7% to 39,300.

Cargo volume increased to 27,589 tons in June 2007 from 21,062 tons last year, a growth of 31%. For the half year, cargo reached 149,210 tons, a 34% growth over last year.

The record growth the airport has achieved in the first half of 2007, which crossed the three million mark, is largely driven by the expansion of Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates and one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.

Since the inaugural flight in November 2003, the airline has increased the number of destinations it flies to, adding at least one route each month. It currently flies to 45 destinations across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. The latest additions in 2007 included Kuala Lumpur, Sydney and Dublin.

Besides Etihad, other airlines are being attracted to Abu Dhabi. The latest was Oman Airways which commenced services to Abu Dhabi in May 2007.