Al Suwaidi said these growth indicators reflect the UAE national airline’s competitiveness and international reputation.
“We are optimistic about the future and the country is taking planned steps to further expand and grow this important sector. We are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safety and security, introducing new technologies to enhance passenger experience, and establishing the country as a major air transportation hub in the region and a key player in the global aviation network,” he said.
WAM reported that UAE airports recorded 20,274,694 arrivals, 21,090,750 departures and 30,391,978 transit passengers in the first half of the year. Last month, Abu Dhabi Airports announced it would handle 13.9 million passengers in the first half of 2024. Meanwhile, passenger numbers at Dubai International Airport surged to 44.9 million, despite several flight cancellations due to heavy rains and regional unrest in April.
Al Suwaidi also said that the GCAA was working with federal and local partners, as well as national airlines, to explore and develop air transport collaborations in existing markets and identify opportunities to enter new markets.
He added that the GCAA has air transport agreements with more than 90 percent of the world’s countries and remains committed to advancing its development and expansion plans to enhance the global competitiveness of the UAE’s civil aviation sector.
According to the GCAA, air cargo volume in the first half of the year reached 2,162,786 tonnes, of which 528,430 tonnes were imported, 245,217 tonnes were exported and 1,389,136 tonnes were transit cargo. National airlines accounted for 68 percent of the total air cargo volume.
As for overall air traffic, the total number of air traffic in the first half of the year reached 499,789, with an overall growth rate of 11.8% compared to the same period last year. February saw the highest air traffic growth, with a 15% increase compared to the same month last year.