Abu Dhabi Airports Sees Resilient Growth Amid Airspace Disruptions
Despite regional tensions impacting air travel, Abu Dhabi Airports maintains 13% growth in passenger traffic.
In the first half of 2025, Abu Dhabi Airports managed to handle more than 15.8 million passengers, marking a 13.1 percent increase from the preceding six months.
This growth is particularly noteworthy given that regional airspace disruptions, including a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, led to significant flight suspensions and rerouting across the Gulf, including within the UAE.
Despite these challenges, Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi's primary air hub with connections to over 120 destinations, saw an impressive 13.2 percent year-on-year increase in passengers, reaching 15.5 million by June-end, as reported by the UAE’s official news agency WAM.The resilience shown by Abu Dhabi Airports, overseen by Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO, highlights the operational agility of the team and their commitment to delivering an exceptional aviation experience.
This operational excellence has attracted international investors and contributed to 17 consecutive quarters of growth for the airport operator.In addition to passenger traffic, total flights across the five airports under Abu Dhabi Airports’ management saw a 9.2 percent increase compared to the first half of 2024, with 133,533 flights recorded.
Zayed International Airport specifically handled 93,858 aircraft movements in the first six months of 2025, reflecting an 11.4 percent rise from the same period last year.Despite these achievements, some airlines have had to adjust their operations due to regional tensions.
For instance, Etihad Airways temporarily halted some flights, and Wizz Air announced plans to exit Abu Dhabi starting September 1, citing geopolitical instability and airspace restrictions.However, rather than being deterred by these challenges, Abu Dhabi Airports expanded its network, introducing 16 new destinations and partnering with several new airlines in the first half of the year.
This includes services from China Eastern Airlines, Air Seychelles, and Fly Cham, as well as the addition of routes to Indian cities like Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Visakhapatnam, making Zayed International Airport the most connected hub for IndiGo within the UAE.Cargo traffic also flourished, reaching 344,795 tonnes in the first half of the year.
This growth is underpinned by strategic infrastructure upgrades and robust trade flows through Abu Dhabi.
As a result, the airport continues to bolster its position as a key player in global air transport networks.
This growth is particularly noteworthy given that regional airspace disruptions, including a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, led to significant flight suspensions and rerouting across the Gulf, including within the UAE.
Despite these challenges, Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi's primary air hub with connections to over 120 destinations, saw an impressive 13.2 percent year-on-year increase in passengers, reaching 15.5 million by June-end, as reported by the UAE’s official news agency WAM.The resilience shown by Abu Dhabi Airports, overseen by Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO, highlights the operational agility of the team and their commitment to delivering an exceptional aviation experience.
This operational excellence has attracted international investors and contributed to 17 consecutive quarters of growth for the airport operator.In addition to passenger traffic, total flights across the five airports under Abu Dhabi Airports’ management saw a 9.2 percent increase compared to the first half of 2024, with 133,533 flights recorded.
Zayed International Airport specifically handled 93,858 aircraft movements in the first six months of 2025, reflecting an 11.4 percent rise from the same period last year.Despite these achievements, some airlines have had to adjust their operations due to regional tensions.
For instance, Etihad Airways temporarily halted some flights, and Wizz Air announced plans to exit Abu Dhabi starting September 1, citing geopolitical instability and airspace restrictions.However, rather than being deterred by these challenges, Abu Dhabi Airports expanded its network, introducing 16 new destinations and partnering with several new airlines in the first half of the year.
This includes services from China Eastern Airlines, Air Seychelles, and Fly Cham, as well as the addition of routes to Indian cities like Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Visakhapatnam, making Zayed International Airport the most connected hub for IndiGo within the UAE.Cargo traffic also flourished, reaching 344,795 tonnes in the first half of the year.
This growth is underpinned by strategic infrastructure upgrades and robust trade flows through Abu Dhabi.
As a result, the airport continues to bolster its position as a key player in global air transport networks.
