Abu Dhabi Airport See Traffic Soar Past 15.8 Million in 2025
Abu Dhabi Airports has reported impressive growth in the first half of 2025, welcoming more than 15.8 million passengers between January and June, a 13.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
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The newly renamed Zayed International Airport (AUH) was the driving force behind this surge, with 15.5 million passengers passing through its gates by the end of June, marking a 13.2% rise year-on-year.
More Flights, More Destinations
Supporting this record growth were 133,533 flights across Abu Dhabi’s five airports during the first six months of the year, up 9.2% from H1 2024. At AUH alone, aircraft movements jumped to 93,858 flights, an 11.4% increase from the same period last year.
Expanding Abu Dhabi’s global reach has been central to this success, with 16 new destinations added to the network and several new airline partners joining. Highlights include:
- China Eastern Airlines: Four weekly flights to Shanghai (daily starting September)
- Air Seychelles: Six weekly flights
- Fly Cham: New service to Damascus
- IndiGo: New routes to Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Vishakhapatnam, solidifying AUH as IndiGo’s most connected hub in the UAE.
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said:
“Consistently delivering positive growth for the past 17 quarters is testament to the dedication and collective effort of the entire Abu Dhabi Airports team. It reflects our operational agility, commitment to delivering an exceptional aviation experience, and attracting international investors.”
Cargo Operations Hit New Heights
Abu Dhabi Airports also excelled in cargo operations, handling 344,795 tonnes of cargo year-to-date, a strong indicator of the emirate’s growing role in global trade. This was supported by strategic initiatives, including a joint venture with JD Property (part of JD.com) to build a 70,000 sqm advanced-tech logistics hub, catering to the booming e-commerce and specialised cargo demand across the GCC and MENA.
Strategic Milestones and Awards
The first half of 2025 also saw key achievements across the airport network:
- Completion of rehabilitation works at Sir Bani Yas Airport, enhancing eco-tourism access in Al Dhafra.
- AUH earned a prestigious 3 Pearl Estidama rating for sustainable construction.
- AUH was named ‘Best Airport at Arrivals Globally’ for the third year running at the ACI ASQ Awards.
- At Al Bateen Executive Airport, progress continued on a dedicated service facility in partnership with Bombardier, boosting Abu Dhabi’s MRO capabilities.
- A new MoU with TAQA Distribution aims to bring next-generation utility technologies to the airport network, furthering innovation and sustainability.
Looking Ahead
With steady growth in passengers, cargo, and destinations, and ambitious projects already underway, Abu Dhabi Airports is on track for a stellar 2025, cementing its position as a global aviation and logistics hub.