Passengers up 40.9% at Abu Dhabi Airport in April

On the back of robust growth in Q1 2008 which saw an equally impressive 34% increase, the year-to-date figures (first four months) show a similar 35$ boost in passenger numbers through the UAE capital's main airport.

Significantly, these figures are in stark contrast to international trends, as suggested by IATA (International Air Transport Association), with global growth rates up to 2011 predicted to grow at a far more modest 5.1%.

"There a number of factors responsible for the impressive increases recorded in passenger traffic," said Rudy Vercelli, CEO - ADAC.

"Firstly, we are feeling the effects of the capacity increases of Abu Dhabi's home airline, Etihad Airways; Secondly, there has been a marked increase in business-related travel as the growing conference and exhibitions sector has boosted business tourism to the UAE capital; And thirdly, from January this year we have seen the arrival of five new airlines operating through our airports," added Vercelli.

The new airlines having just started operations from ADIA in 2008 are Jet Airways (India), Nas Air (KSA), Fly Yeti (Nepal), MIDEX Airlines (Abu Dhabi) and Cargoitalia (Italy).

India - currently Abu Dhabi's largest market - also posted strong passenger increases (+41 percent) again due to Etihad's capacity growth to destinations in South India and improved load factors on existing routes, as well as and the commencement of services with Jet Airways' services to New Delhi and Mumbai.

In total, Abu Dhabi International Airport handled over 703,000 passengers in April 2008 compared to the 501,000 in the same month the year earlier with total aircraft movements for the month showing a 17% upward trend.

ADIA also witnessed steady growth in its cargo operations with an 18% increase over the same month last year.

In other news, ADAC also released data detailing the top three destinations served out of Abu Dhabi - or 18% of total passenger traffic at the airport.

The top destination was Doha, Qatar; closely followed by London, in the UK; with Bangkok, Thailand, just edging out Cairo, Egypt, for the third most popular destination from the UAE capital.

"The changing demographic and passenger profile demonstrates Abu Dhabi's increasing international reach and its growing connectivity to key destinations world-wide - this is a reflection of the growth of Abu Dhabi's home airline, Etihad Airways, and the ever increasing number of airlines attracted by Abu Dhabi Airports' strategic location and business approach," added Vercelli.