Abu Dhabi Airports sees 13.1% rise in passenger growth

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Inside Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Airports has reported a strong 13.1% increase in passenger traffic for the first half of 2025, facilitating 15.8 million travellers across its five commercial airports.

This marks the operator’s 17th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, an increase largely fuelled by the continued expansion of Etihad Airways, as well as new airlines operating in the UAE capital.

The city’s main airport, Zayed International (AUH), played an outsized role in the passenger surge, seeing 15.5 million passengers in the first half, up 13.2% year-on-year.

The airport’s main tenant, Etihad Airways, posted a 30% surge in profits to a record AED686 million for the first quarter of 2025, while lifting passenger numbers past five million, up 16% compared to a year earlier. The airline has also announced 27 new routes in the last six months.

The positive momentum comes despite disruptions caused by recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that affected airspace and led to widespread delays.

Zayed International Airport

Elena Sorlini, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, credited the results to the company’s “operational agility and commitment to delivering an exceptional aviation experience and attracting international investors”.

Expanding route networks have also contributed to Abu Dhabi Airports’ growth.

In the first half of 2025, Zayed International introduced 16 new destinations, bringing new carriers such as China Eastern Airlines with its Shanghai service, Air Seychelles’ six weekly flights and Syrian carrier Fly Cham’s flights to Damascus.

IndiGo also extended its footprint with new connections to Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Vishakhapatnam.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to boost capacity 40% after Wizz exit

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That said, Zayed International is set to lose an airline, with low-cost carrier Wizz Air Abu Dhabi recently announcing plans to exit the emirate on 1 September after five years of operations, ending flights on 29 routes.

Abu Dhabi’s aviation scene is quickly adjusting, however, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for growth.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has since stepped up with plans to grow its capacity by 40% next year, supported by the addition of four new Airbus A320s; while Etihad has unveiled seven new destinations launching through early 2026, many routes filling the gaps left by Wizz Air’s departure, from Bucharest to Baku.

For more information, visit www.zayedinternationalairport.ae