Abu Dhabi airport traffic surges 40%

Passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport rose 40% in April, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) said on Tuesday.

ADAC said Abu Dhabi airport handled over 703,000 passengers during the month, compared to 501,000 in the same month last year.

Growth was up 5% on the 35% increase in passenger traffic seen in March. Passenger traffic during the first quarter was up 34% year-on-year.

ADAC Chief Executive Rudy Vercelli said growth was driven by the expansion of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, especially in India, an increase in the number of airlines using the airport and a rise in business travel.

ADAC said passenger traffic from India, Abu Dhabi's largest market, grew more than 41% thanks to an increase in the number of destinations Etihad flies to, improved load factors on existing routes and the start of Jet Airways' services to New Delhi and Mumbai.

In addition to Jet Airways, Nas Air (Saudi Arabia), Fly Yeti (Nepal), Midex Airlines (Abu Dhabi) and Cargoitalia (Italy) all started operations from Abu Dhabi airport this year.

ADAC said total aircraft movements during April rose 17%.

ADIA also said cargo operations grew 18% over the same month last year.

/Arabian Business/

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Airport Show Survey: Abu Dhabi among region’s top aviation investors

A recent survey on the region’s airport construction and the industry’s expansion has placed Abu Dhabi International Airport’s $6.8bn master plan as one of the largest airport developments by investment among the Gulf countries, Jordan, Iraq, India, Sri Lanka and across the African continent. The survey, conducted by Streamline Marketing Group and organizers of the Dubai Airport Show, showed that the pattern of regional airport expansion was being fuelled by strong economic growth and the rapid development of Gulf countries’ state-owned airlines, in particularly, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways.

The Airport Expo Dubai is set to run from 2 - 4 June 2008 with Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the owner-operator of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports, confirming yesterday that it will have a major presence at the show and will be showcasing its latest development plans.

Taking its place alongside 550 other exhibitors from around the world, ADAC will be part of a number of airport developers and aviation authorities from across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region – each experiencing unprecedented rates of growth. With numerous projects and expansions now valued at over $68bn, the Gulf countries are estimated to account for $43bn of this growth with $21bn of development under way in the UAE alone. The projected increase in commercial air traffic and tourism to the region has been a factor in prompting heavy government funding for such infrastructure projects.

Mohamed Al Bulooki, Director of Marketing and Communications, ADAC, said: 'The show is of particular interest to us this year as we plan to use the event to explore and source new technologies, explain our future expansion plans and brief industry suppliers on our procurement policies and how they can do business with us.' 'Some of the best airports in the world, with the latest airport technology, systems and security are being constructed in this region,' added Bulooki. 'In fact, the Middle East and North Africa [MENA] region will witness the largest growth in aviation industries in the world between 2008 and 2011 – almost 40% more growth than the global average,' said Bulooki, citing recent research by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 'Abu Dhabi is set to benefit from the region’s aviation growth, due to its strategic position between East and West, and will become one of the most important aviation hubs of the future. The Airport Show, therefore, is a clear platform from which we can initiate contacts with top-level representatives of airports around the world,' he added.

To support the Government of Abu Dhabi’s tourism, business, investment and overall development drive, the large-scale development program – or 'master plan' – has been set in motion to transform Abu Dhabi’s airport into a world-class facility. Addressing both short and long term needs, the master plan will allow the airport to grow up to and beyond 40 million passengers as well as handling over 2.5 million tons of cargo per annum in the future.
By the end of 2011, the airport proposes to be able to handle up to 20 million passengers per annum, a six fold growth compared to its original design capacity (Terminal 1 only) of 3.5 million. Later this year, a third terminal capable of handling an additional five million passengers a year will open. Terminal 3 will be for exclusive use of Eithad Airways and is an interim facility that has been developed to meet the UAE national airline’s growth until the Midfield Terminal, the centre piece of the airport’s redevelopment, comes on stream at the end of 2011. Supporting these developments, a new 4,100m second runway and a new Air Traffic Control Complex (ATCC) will become operational in 2009, along with a new cargo terminal – due for completion in 2010.

The master plan also has provision for a four million square metre airport free trade zone and a host of other commercial development projects. Currently 37 airlines operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport, and with four new airlines having already come on board since the beginning of 2008, growing interest from a range of other airlines eager to capitalize on location of the capital of the UAE is expected. 'The expansion program will enable Abu Dhabi to cater to an anticipated surge in passenger traffic, estimated between 15 and 20 million by 2015,' said Al Bulooki. Passenger traffic grew by 31% at Abu Dhabi Airport in 2007 with 2008 showing no signs of a slow down. First quarter results in 2008 demonstrate a 35% increase in passenger traffic over the same period in the previous year.

The rapid growth of passenger traffic has largely been anticipated by many regional aviation hubs, hence the efforts going into the region’s airport development; however, there are challenges and while record oil prices and booming regional economies have enabled Middle East governments to allocate billions of dollars for infrastructure development, Airbus estimates that Middle East and African airlines will require 1,016 new aircraft, worth $124bn, over the next 20 years – so investment will need to be steady through economic conditions outside of a boom. With an expected budget surplus of $50bn and a current account surplus of over $100bn for the six Gulf States alone, spending is set to continue over the medium to long term. To place the developments in context, economists have estimated that there is currently $650bn worth of active projects in the Gulf, with another $650bn announced but not yet begun.
/WAM/

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Prestige Jet looking to expand

Abu Dhabi-based Prestige Jet, the Capital's new, fast-growing, private aviation company, has created two new operational divisions designed to facilitate better management and performance of its aircraft and enhance passenger services.

Prestige Technique and Prestige Flight Support are both based in Al Bateen City Airport, the airline's operational base, where a dedicated passenger departure lounge was also opened last month.

Faris Deeb, Managing Director of Prestige Jet, said that by establishing its own capabilities in Al Bateen City Airport, Prestige Jet is better able to control costs and performance of the aircraft, while at the same time enhancing the passenger's jet charter experience.
"We believe the two new divisions will help elevate our client service standards to an even higher level and will allow us to better compete with world's best private jet charter operators," he said.

"Furthermore they are core components of a long term plan to establish a number of our own Fixed Base Operations (FBOs) in strategic locations globally, so as to afford better financial and operational control of key services.
Prestige Technique already provides basic maintenance services for the general aviation industry and a development plan is being evaluated where maintenance capabilities will be enhanced.

"We are in discussion with number of well recognized international MRO (Maintenance Repair Overhaul) companies to establish a joint maintenance entity," adds Deeb.
In parallel, the company is seeking to acquire a facility in Al Ain international airport to establish a dedicated maintenance hangar by the end of 2009.
Deeb adds that Prestige Jet is committed to further investment in product and service enhancements and is also looking to expand its fleet.
"We have a number of possible aircraft on our radar screen," he said, "and we hope to be making several announcements within the next month."

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Etihad Airways registered a record-breaking first quarter

Etihad Airways has enjoyed a record-breaking first quarter and remains on track to achieve its 2008 target of carrying six million passengers by the end of the year.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline carried 1.4 million passengers during the first three months of 2008, compared to one million for the same period in 2007, an increase of 40 per cent.

The airline achieved average seat factors of 75 per cent across its network of 45 destinations during the first quarter of 2008, which covers the months of January, February and March.

Year-on-year, the airline's seat factor has increased by seven percentage points as Etihad continues to expand its global flight schedule and add aircraft to a fleet which will grow to 40 by the end of 2008.

Yield, the average amount received per ticket, also rose by 25 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Etihad has launched one new destination so far in 2008, starting flights to Beijing on 30 March. In the summer, the airline will also begin flying to Kozhikode (Calicut) and Chennai (Madras), after securing flying rights earlier this year to four new destinations in India. Etihad is currently finalising when it will commence flights to the two other Indian destinations of Jaipur and Kolkata (Calcutta).

The airline also plans to fly to Moscow and the Kazakh city of Almaty in December 2008 and to the Belarus capital of Minsk early next year. Etihad will also boost its flying programme to Australia by the end of 2008, by increasing its existing daily service to Sydney to 11 flights per week.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive, said: ' The performance of Etihad during the first quarter of 2008 has been outstanding, breaking all previous records. As we continue to expand our global network and strengthen our schedule, we remain confident of achieving our target of carrying six million passengers by the end of the year.

'I would like to acknowledge the support and close cooperation Etihad continues to receive from Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Abu Dhabi Airport Services and the Department of Transport in achieving these fantastic figures.' During the first quarter of 2008, all Etihad's cabins experienced increased seat factors compared to the same period in 2007, with particularly strong performances coming from the airline's first and business class cabins.

In addition to the new routes to Beijing and Calicut, Etihad Airways is increasing the frequency of its flights to a number of key destinations within the GCC, Middle East, Europe, Indian sub-continent, Africa and the Asia Pacific region.

Etihad's strong network across the Middle East is being strengthened further this summer, with extra weekly services from Abu Dhabi to Amman (six flights at present to 10), Beirut (eight to 11) and Damascus (six to 10). Within Europe, flights to the Irish capital of Dublin have increased from six flights a week to a daily service.

Etihad flights to the Egyptian capital of Cairo are increasing from 10 flights a week to 12 and to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum from four flights a week to five. Within the Indian sub-continent, the airline's existing 13 flights a week service to Karachi in Pakistan is being boosted to a twice-daily service.

The first quarter of 2008 has also witnessed a record performance from Etihad's cargo division. Etihad Crystal Cargo has seen more than 60,000 global shipments, an increase of 20 per cent compared to the first three months of 2007. These shipments had a combined weight of more than 43,000 tonnes. WAM

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Air race in Abu Dhabi to kick off April 10

Ten days countdown to the long awaited festival, the Red Bull Air Race, with the first round of the World Series 2008 hosted by the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi for the fourth consecutive year.

This first round comes under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Abu Dhabi corniche will be the platform of this awaited event, drawing attention of all motor-sports lovers from around the world into the UAE capital.

In addition to the air race, the organizing committee has also prepared a festival starting from April 7-9, 2008. The festival begins three days before the Qualifying and four days before the race day, gathering different attractions for all fans. WAM

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ADAC posts 33% traffic growth in February

Maintaining its position as one of the fastest growing airports in the region, Abu Dhabi International Airport has released its traffic data for February 2008 which details a robust 32.7 percent passenger growth and 16.9 percent for aircraft movements, over the same period last year.

Abu Dhabi International Airport handled 648,301 passengers in February 2008 compared to 488,453 for the same month in 2007; the Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) figures show a total of 7,272,134 passengers were handled, or an increase of 34 percent.

There was also a solid year-on-year performance from Cargo in February which posted a 20.1 percent increase, up to 27,341 tons from 22,773 tons on the previous year's figures.

"The rapid and sustained growth of our number one customer and the UAE's national airline, Etihad Airways, continues to be a key factor in the increase of traffic, particularly when assessing the increased frequencies and 9 added destinations that have been added to the network in the last 12 months," said Rudy Vercelli, ADAC's newly appointed CEO.

"In addition, it has also been noted that traffic coming to Abu Dhabi for business conferences and exhibitions is increasing rapidly and is having a clear effect on the profile of passengers through our airports," added Vercelli.

A predicted downturn in worldwide passenger traffic in 2008 is not expected to be reciprocated across the Middle East region and, going on Abu Dhabi Airports Company's latest statistics, growth in the early part of the year seems to demonstrate a general bucking of international trends that looks set to remain strong, going forward into 2008.

ADAC's commitment to customer service will be further demonstrated later this year as new facilities come on line such as the five-million passenger capacity Terminal 3, which will nearly double the current capacity to take on 12 million passengers. Featuring eight gates, including two that are A380 compatible, the new terminal will be used by Etihad Airways with most international airlines using the existing Terminal 1 and 2 buildings, until the Midfield Terminal Complex (the 20-40 million passenger capacity terminal) comes on line in three years time. WAM

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ME’s business aviation sector to grow at 40pc in next five years

The Middle East’s booming business aviation sector will continue to record annual double-digit growth over the next five years, according to the President & CEO of Royal Jet.
Contributing to a panel discussion on the future of business aviation at the Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit in Abu Dhabi, Shane O’Hare told delegates that an increasing region-wide realisation of the cost-effectiveness of private jet travel is fuelling sector growth.

“Our research points to a 40 per cent annual increase in the Middle East’s business aviation sector for the coming five years with Saudi Arabia and the UAE driving the momentum,” he said in a Press statement yesterday.

“Saudi Arabia is currently leading the surge but the UAE is catching up very fast,” he added.

“In addition, the emerging markets of India and China will record similar growth rates and with the Middle East being central to these markets and Europe, it is well placed to serve their growing requirements.”

O’Hare said the region’s business aviation potential is encouraging new players into the market.

“Six major operators are looking to come into the market in the next few years,” he said. O’Hare added that Royal Jet, currently the Middle East’s largest charter supplier with a 16 per cent market share, is gearing up for major expansion in readiness to service increased demand and counter new competition.

Royal Jet’s five-year plan envisages a fleet of more than 20 aircraft - up from the current 12 - with expansion mainly centred on large-to-mid-range capacity airliners.

During the panel discussion, led by Ammar Balkar, President of the Middle East Business Aviation Association, O’Hare said throughout the Middle East’s expanding corporate sector there is increasing acceptance of the “potent commercial proposition” of business aviation. Source

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Global Aviation Services (GAS) to take space at Abu Dhabi International Airport

Global Aviation Services (GAS) today signed up to become the first company of its kind to take space at Abu Dhabi International Airport for provision of MRO supplementary services, refurbishment and engineering services.

The new facility for production of cabin interiors, equipment as well as related maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services is to open shortly after today's signing ceremony at ADAC head office. HE Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman and managing director signed for ADAC while CEO Zeydan Oncu signed for GAS. GAS Board of directors is chaired by HH Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan.

GAS will also use the facility for production of a wide range of cabin equipment and parts, including design and production of galley, crew rest compartments, stairs house, bars, seat parts, military aircraft interiors, composite parts, and material supplies.

''We are delighted to put such a specialized service at the disposal of airlines in the region. Following last week's first Middle East Aviation Outlook summit, in Abu Dhabi, we celebrate another first today in the signing of this agreement. GAS will become the first specialist supplier in this specific field at the airport and their presence here will enable us to continue to grow and enhance the range of world class support services on offer in Abu Dhabi and the Middle East region,'' ADAC chairman and managing director, Khalifa Al Mazrouei, said.

GAS CEO Zeydan Oncu said the facility was the first step in developing fully-integrated cabin equipment centre as one stop shop for cabin interiors and equipment, which will become synonymous with GAS.

''Abu Dhabi International Airport is an ideal location for establishing a service hub catering to this segment of the market. The airport's unique location at the centre of international routes will enable us to provide a timely, world-class service to a growing number of airlines,'' he added. (WAM)

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Abu Dhabi Aviation Rises to 2-Year High on Management

Abu Dhabi Aviation Co. PJSC, a United Arab Emirates-based operator of helicopters and airplanes, surged to the highest in 23 months after the company announced changes to its board of directors last week.

Abu Dhabi Aviation rose 38 fils, or 8.2 percent, to 5.02 dirhams on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market today, its highest since March 27, 2006. The shares have added 41 percent in five trading days.
``Investors believe the company has great potential and the board changes will help improve performance,'' said Motasem Mustafa, head of share trading at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC, in a phone interview from Abu Dhabi today.

Abu Dhabi Aviation announced Feb. 19 it had appointed Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan as its new chairman and named former chairman Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan as vice chairman and managing director.

``I think it's just speculation because there is no news to justify the recent jump,'' said Mahmoud Al-Borgi, head of investor relations at Abu Dhabi Aviation, in a phone interview.

The company, established in 1976 by the Abu Dhabi government, operates 46 helicopters and three airplanes and mainly supports the emirate's offshore oil, engineering and construction companies. Net income in 2007 jumped 50 percent to 75.7 million dirhams ($20.6 million) as revenue advanced 11 percent to 534.4 million dirhams. (Bloomberg)

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Major airport expansion for Abu Dhabi unveiled

Work on the new passenger terminal of Abu Dhabi Airport will start in April, according to a senior official. The announcement was made at a conference on the aviation sector that has highlighted the Middle East’s emergence as a world leader in terms of growth.

Abu Dhabi Airport Company Chairman and Managing Director Khalifa Al Mazrouie said the new building would accommodate five million passengers, bringing the airport’s capacity to 12 million.

The passenger terminal will cost Dh1 billion, and work on the airport’s second runway will also start this year, marking a year of serious growth. Expansion work is already under way on the cargo area to handle 500,000 tonnes by the end of the year.

According to Al Mazrouie, the expansion was called for because the airport’s cargo movement is witnessing unprecedented growth.

Al Mazrouie was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit organised by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

He said a study is under way to make Al Ain Airport a hub for cargo and economy aviation. A free economic zone will be set up near the airport to attract companies specialised in aircraft maintenance, rental and the manufacture of some aircraft parts.

Addressing the conference, Al Mazrouie said the total investment in development and modernisation of Gulf airports has amounted to Dh43bn.

He said the Middle East, India and China account for 50 per cent of aircraft orders over the past five years, as they have ordered 1,170 aircraft worth $140bn.

Al Mazrouie said the aviation industry in the Middle East is the fastest-growing sector in the world vis-à-vis passenger movement. It achieved a rate of growth of 18.6 per cent in 2007 while Europe’s was only five per cent, United States (three per cent), Asia (7.8 per cent) and Africa (13.4 per cent).

Infrastructure at airports in the region is responding to the growth in the number of passengers. Dubai, for instance, is building an airport that can accommodate 120 million passengers in Jebel Ali annually. Also Qatar is building a new airport that will open next year. Meanwhile, King Abdul Aziz Airport in Saudi Arabia is being expanded to host 80 million passengers by 2035.
The Abu Dhabi conference is the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East and the Gulf. Such conferences, the chairman noted, used to be held in Asia and the Pacific region. More than 200 aviation experts have descended upon the UAE capital for the event.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways Executive Chairman James Hogan said his company intends to buy 24 planes for $8bn (Dh29.3bn) this year. Last summer it bought 12 aircraft worth $2.4bn.

Hogan said Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is negotiating with Airbus and Boeing to buy 100 new aircraft before 2020.

The fast growing airliner carried 4.6 million passengers in 2007, and is expecting a 30 per cent rise this year. Hogan said the big expansion at the capital’s airport is part of a $6.8bn investment in growth being made over the next few years.

In Hogan’s opinion, the aviation sector has seen unprecedented liberalisation for the first time in the region and aviation technologies have made non-stop trips to and from the Middle East possible.

Executive Director for the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Peter Harrison expected aviation movement in the Middle East to score growth of 24 per cent over the coming 10 years.

“We expect big growth in the aviation sector for the countries in the Middle East as this sector has grown in an unprecedented manner and faster than any growth in the rest of the markets across the world.”

By comparison, Harrison said the sector has seen a decline in growth of two per cent is some parts of the world.

Destinations in the Middle East, on the other hand, increased in popularity by 12 per cent to 13 per cent. Each new route, he added, creates 50 new markets.

Harrison also said the Abu Dhabi Government intends to earmark $40bn to $50bn for the building of new airports and expanding and modernising the old one whereas countries in Europe combined have allocated $80bn for the same purpose.

However, he warned of several challenges faced by the region’s aviation industry. The most important of these is shortage of skilled employees for operation and maintenance as well as the provision of investments needed for sustainable growth.

Also the general lack of trained navigators and training facilities and compliance with world environmental criteria, is a problem for Harrison.

“These challenges have to be countered with maximum speed.”

Meanwhile, an Ohio University professor attending the event asked people in charge of the Gulf’s aviation sector to give priority to the improvement and modernisation of management and to set the new strategies that maintain Gulf airliners’ competitiveness instead of focusing on new airports or new aircraft.

He said that priority should be given to improving security arrangements at airports in the Gulf to avoid any incidents that might impact the growth. Source

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"The Concept of Open Skies and State Sovereignty"

The Center for Information Affairs has republished the "The Concept of Open Skies and State Sovereignty", on the occasion of the holding of Middle East Airline Engineering and Maintenance Conference, in Abu Dhabi.

The said conference brought together future makers of Middle East aviation who offered exclusive information from international industry leaders about the future and emerging opportunities in the Middle East.

Participants also discussed the introduction of ultra long haul aircraft which is connecting the Middle East with almost any market in the world making the region potentially the world's aviation centre The study deals with this challenging topic, tracing back the development stages of "the concept of open skies". It discusses the issue of the supremacy of state sovereignty over the principle of open skies, referring to the Paris Convention in 1919 and the Chicago Convention in 1944, which stipulate the right of each State to accept or refuse the use of its airspace.

It also tackles the legal restrictions on this concept, its commercial and security goals, as well as its implications for the developing countries. It highlights the importance of the issue of open airspace in the fields of freedom of movement for persons and commodities, reduction in corporate spending, and cost of transport.

The study explains how this concept started to appear in the field of civil aviation, as the United States first called for it in Chicago Conference, and discussed it again in the field of strategic security. US President Eisenhower suggested in 1955 that the Soviet Union and the United States should use air photographing as a means of showing mutual transparency in monitoring armament race between the two parties, says the study.

In 1989, this topic was raised again, as the member states of NATO and the Warsaw Pact agreed to sign the Treaty on Open Skies in 1992, says the study. It points out that since the 1970s, some states have pressingly called for removing restraints, and opening airspace to allow free competition among companies, however, some other states have adhered to their sovereignty over their skies and the necessity of protecting their companies from competition in internal markets.

The study also touches on the issue of open skies in the international practice, showing the different stances held by the states over the issue, highlighting the Arab concept concerning this principle, as well as the negative impacts of applying it in the developing countries. (WAM)

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Abu Dhabi Airport adopts new look to make travellers welcome

Abu Dhabi Airport has unveiled a new look to its terminal one building with a range of posters and artwork to help welcome travellers to Abu Dhabi.

Based on the work developed by the Office of the Brand, Abu Dhabi, the installations reflect the core values which Abu Dhabi wants to project to visitors and residents alike - the value of respect.

Chairman of ADAC, the owner and operator of Abu Dhabi international airport, HE Khalifa M. Al Mazrouei said: "This is a great step forward in making sure that the gateway to Abu Dhabi reflects the hospitality and respect we want to pay to travellers, visitors and residents alike. It is important that the city's airport reflects the city and Emirate of Abu Dhabi and these installations start the process of doing that. Too many airports in the world are anonymous and could be anywhere. I am delighted that we have been able to integrate the work of the brand office and interpret it in an interesting way which enhances the environment of the airport and helps us make our visitors feel welcome:.

Further phases of work are being planned in the coming months that will see signage and landscaping renewed around the airport and its approaches ahead of the opening of the new terminal three facility.

The one billion dirham terminal will accommodate up to five million passengers per year and will primnarily be for the use of Etihad passengers. It will feature premium class lounges and an enhanced duty free facility that is expected to host some of the world?s leading luxury brands. (WAM)

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Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit

Abu Dhabi will play host to the first Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit, to be held in the region when it starts on Wednesday 27 February.

The CAPA outlook summit will bring together aviation experts from throughout the Middle East and Asia to discuss the huge growth the aviation sector is experiencing in this part of the world.

Sponsored by ADAC, the conference will discuss the latest trends in aviation and hear from experts on how the region might respond to record growth. The Middle East region grew the fastest of any region in the world last year, 18.6% and that trend is expected to continue into 2008 and beyond.

Throughout the Middle East airport infrastructure projects add up to more than $50bn dollars whilst carriers such as Etihad, Qatar and Emirates are leading the world in orders for new aircraft with orders for around 1000 new aircraft emanating from the region worth more than $200bn dollars. (WAM)

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Record year for Abu Dhabi Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport has registered a record year in 2007, with a rise of 31 per cent in total passengers and 15 per cent in aircraft movements compared to 2006 to make it one of the fastest growing airports in the region.

Confirming continuous growth throughout 2007, the December traffic results showed a 40.4 per cent uptrend in total passengers and a 19.9 per cent rise in aircraft movements, compared to December 2006. For the full year 2007, total passengers grew 31 per cent over 2006 while aircraft movements went up by 15 per cent.

"The strong traffic seen during 2007 is a direct result of Abu Dhabi's growing prominence as an attractive tourist and business destination," said H E Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman and managing director of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the owner and operator of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports.

The airport handled a total of 7,30,404 passengers in December 2007, a 40.4 per cent rise over the 5,20,133 passengers seen in December 2006. The number of aircraft movements increased 19.9 per cent during the same period, rising from 6,517 in December 2006 to 7,811.

For the year 2007 (January-December), the number of total passengers increased by 31 per cent achieving a record 6.926 million passengers. Aircraft movements increased 15 per cent, having registered a total of 86,767 movements, compared to 75,437 in the same period in 2006.

Cargo volume continued its strong performance and increased to 28,184 tons in December 2007 from 26,905 tons last year, a growth of five per cent and for the full year 2007 cargo volumes increased 22 per cent from 2,57,622 tonnes in 2006 to 3,15,317 tonnes.

A substantial factor in the Airport's strong growth has been the rapid expansion of its home base airline, Etihad Airways. In 2007, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates expanded with 9 new destinations, increasing their number of average weekly services from 463 per week in January to 719 per week in December. Growth was also driven by a 10 per cent increase in the number of other airlines operating at the airport with the commencement of services by Oman Air, Ethiopian Airlines and SAMA.

"It is very pleasing to see the continued expansion of our largest customer, Etihad Airways, and also of so many airlines taking advantage of the quick and efficient services of the airport and the underlying economic growth of Abu Dhabi," Al Mazrouei said.

Alongside the record passenger growth, the airport continued to deliver fast and efficient services that won it high recognition from passengers and from the industry. Recently won awards included the best airport in the Middle East and Africa in terms of service quality, courtesy, and customer service by the Airports Council International, provider of the best baggage delivery service in the world by Skytrax, the best provider of airport security services in the Middle East by ITP Business Publishing, and the best station award by Sri Lanka Airlines.

ADAC's commitment to customer service will be further demonstrated in 2008 as new facilities come on line. These include a third, 5m passenger terminal, which will almost double the current capacity to 12 million passengers. Featuring eight gates, including two A380 compatible, the new terminal will meet the demand of Etihad Airways and foreign airlines until the Midfield Terminal Complex is ready a couple of years later.

On the facilities level, ADAC is expanding its existing satellite area to create more room for additional airport services and more seating space. Thanks to this expansion, some of the major international renowned catering outlets, such as McDonalds and Starbucks will shortly be offering their services to passengers.

ADAC has just opened the new Yas Lounge at Terminal 1, specifically catering to the economy class tarvellers who stop over at the airport for more than six hours before joining their next flight.

"ADAC will continue to deliver on its commitment to the Government and the people of Abu Dhabi to provide world class customer service. Our plans for the future will deliver best in class facilities to ensure this airport is afitting gateway for a world class city and the Emirate as a whole," Al Mazrouei concluded. Source

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Abu Dhabi International Airport record growth

Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) has registered a record year in 2007, with a rise of 31 per cent in total passengers and 15 per cent in aircraft movements compared to 2006 to make it one of the fastest growing airports in the region.

Confirming continuous growth throughout 2007, the December traffic results showed a 40.4 per cent rise in total passengers and a 19.9 per cent rise in aircraft movements, compared to December 2006.

"The strong traffic seen during 2007 is a direct result of Abu Dhabi's growing prominence as an attractive tourist and business destination,"said Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman and managing director of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), which owns and operates Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports.

The airport handled a total of 730,404 passengers in December 2007, a 40.4 per cent rise over the 520,133 passengers seen in December 2006. The number of aircraft movements increased 19.9 per cent during the same period, rising from 6,517 in December 2006 to 7,811.

For the year 2007 (January-December), the number of total passengers increased by 31.0 per cent reaching a record 6.926 million. Aircraft movements increased 15 per cent, having registered a total of 86,767 movements, compared to 75,437 in the same period in 2006.

Cargo volume continued its strong performance and increased to 28,184 metric tonnes in December 2007 from 26,905 metric tonnes last year. For the full year 2007 cargo volumes increased 22 per cent from 257,622 tonnes in 2006 to 315,317 tonnes.

A substantial factor in the airport's strong growth has been the rapid expansion of its home base airline, Etihad Airways.

In 2007, Etihad Airways expanded with nine new destinations in 2007, increasing their number of average weekly services from 463 per week in January to 719 per week in December. Growth was also driven by a 10 per cent increase in the number of other airlines operating at the airport with the commencement of services by Oman Air, Ethiopian Airlines and SAMA.

"It is very pleasing to see the continued expansion of our largest customer, Etihad Airways, and the commencement of so many airlines taking advantage of the quick and efficient services of the airport and the underlying economic growth of Abu Dhabi,"Al Mazrouei said.

New facilities:The new facilities coming online in 2008 include a third, five million passenger terminal, which will almost double the current capacity to 12 million passengers. Featuring eight gates, including two A380 compatible, the new terminal will meet the demand of Etihad Airways and foreign airlines until the Midfield Terminal Complex is ready a couple of years later.

On the facilities level, ADAC is expanding its existing satellite area to create more room for additional airport services and more seating space.

ADAC has just opened the new Yas Lounge at Terminal 1, specifically catering to the economy class tarvellers who stop over at the Airport for more than six hours before joining their next flight. Source

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