Abu Dhabi Airports Hit New Heights with 15.8M Passengers
Abu Dhabi Airports has had a great start to 2025. Between January and June, more than 15.8 million passengers traveled through its airports. This number is 13.1% higher than the same period last year. This shows that more people are choosing Abu Dhabi as their travel hub.
The main airport, Zayed International Airport (AUH), saw 15.5 million passengers, up by 13.2% compared to 2024. More flights and new routes helped bring these numbers up.
More Flights and Better Connections
In the first half of 2025, there were over 133,500 flights at Abu Dhabi’s five airports. This is a 9.2% increase from the previous year. At Zayed International Airport alone, there were nearly 94,000 flights, which is 11.4% more than last year.
This rise shows the airport’s growing importance for global travel. New airlines and more destinations are helping Abu Dhabi connect with the world.
New Routes and Airline Partners
Abu Dhabi Airports added 16 new destinations in early 2025. Airlines like China Eastern Airlines, Air Seychelles, and Fly Cham started new services. Also, IndiGo increased its flights to cities like Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Vishakhapatnam.
These new routes make it easier for passengers to travel to and from Abu Dhabi. This helps business and tourism grow in the region.
Airport Upgrades Improve Travel Experience
Abu Dhabi Airports has been improving its facilities. For example, Sir Bani Yas Airport recently finished upgrades to support eco-tourism in the area.
Zayed International Airport received a 3 Pearl Estidama rating for sustainable construction. It was also named Best Airport at Arrivals Globally for the third year in a row by ACI ASQ Awards.
At Al Bateen Executive Airport, Abu Dhabi Airports teamed up with Bombardier to open a new service center. This supports aircraft maintenance and helps Abu Dhabi become a hub for aviation services.
Growing Cargo and Trade Operations
Abu Dhabi Airports also saw a big rise in cargo traffic. In the first six months of 2025, it handled more than 344,700 tonnes of cargo.
A new partnership with JD Property, part of China’s e-commerce giant JD.com, will build a 70,000 square meter advanced logistics facility. This will help grow trade across the GCC and the wider Middle East.
Focus on Innovation and Sustainability
Abu Dhabi Airports is working hard on innovation and green technology. It plans to use next-generation utility technologies across its airports to reduce energy use and lower emissions.
The airports also use smart technology to improve safety and speed. This makes travel easier and more comfortable for passengers.
What This Means for Abu Dhabi and the UAE
The strong growth in passengers, flights, and cargo shows how Abu Dhabi is becoming a major global travel hub. This success supports the UAE’s goals to diversify its economy and grow tourism and trade.
As the airports expand and improve, they attract more airlines and passengers. This creates jobs and helps many other businesses in the region.
A Bright Future for Abu Dhabi Airports
With new routes, better services, and a focus on sustainability, Abu Dhabi Airports is ready for more growth. The first half of 2025 was just the start of an exciting year.
Travelers can expect more choices and better experiences when flying through Abu Dhabi. The airports will continue to play a key role in connecting the UAE to the world.
