Abu Dhabi’s airports handled a record 29.4 million passengers in 2024, marking a 28% year-on-year increase, driven by significant growth at Zayed International Airport.
Zayed International, the emirate’s main hub and home to Etihad Airways, welcomed 28.8 million passengers, up from 22.4 million in 2023. The airport expanded its network to over 125 destinations and introduced 29 new routes last year. It also added eight airlines, including British Airways, Air Astana, and Flynas.
Elena Sorlini, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, called 2024 a milestone year with record-breaking passenger traffic, cargo growth, and major infrastructure developments, including the launch of Terminal A in November 2023.
Cargo operations also saw a 21% increase, reaching 678,990 tonnes, while aircraft movements rose by 10% to 249,747. Key markets contributing to this surge included the UK, India, Qatar, and Egypt.
Etihad Airways played a crucial role in this growth, carrying 13.6 million passengers in the first nine months of 2024—a 35% rise from the previous year. The airline expanded its fleet to 95 aircraft and launched 10 new routes, with plans to triple passenger numbers to 33 million by 2030.
Abu Dhabi continues to invest in its aviation sector as part of a broader economic diversification strategy. In 2024, the emirate announced a $10 billion infrastructure plan to boost tourism, with the sector expected to contribute AED 55 billion ($14.97 billion) to GDP.
Globally, air travel demand rose by 10.4% in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to IATA. Abu Dhabi’s growing aviation sector aligns with this trend, positioning the emirate as a key global travel hub.
