Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) announced on Tuesday that Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) welcomed 7,050,646 passengers during the first half (H1) of 2012, a significant increase of 22.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2011.

Abu Dhabi International Airport also witnessed a surge in aircraft movements, which climbed by 3.6 per cent to a total of 58,937 movements during January-June 2012.

This double-digit growth in passenger traffic has been propelled by Etihad Airways dynamic performance, the routes and frequencies of new airlines, and the ongoing increase in business and tourism across the capital.

Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer at ADAC, said: “The first half of 2012 has been an extraordinary period for Abu Dhabi International Airport, as the highest volumes of passenger traffic in airport history have been recorded. The strong double digit growth reveals the increasing attractiveness of Abu Dhabi as a leisure and business destination and also as an aviation hub, and we look forward to developing the airport and its services over the coming years to allow and encourage further growth.”

“Together with our home-base carriers and our other airline partners we intend to further grow the airport’s network, which will strengthen our competitive position towards the world’s leading airports, as well as provide travellers with an efficient attractive international hub. We are confident that 2012 will continue to be a successful year for ADAC as we gear up for the 18th World Routes Forum in September, which will assist in expanding air services out of Abu Dhabi International Airport, and for the Formula 1 2012 season in the capital, whilst we also prepare for the commencement of construction works at the Midfield Terminal.”

The traffic report for cargo shipments indicated a total of 268,157 tonnes in the first half of 2012, registering a 15.7 per cent increase versus that of the same period in 2011.

Increased Etihad, Air Berlin and Lufthansa cargo volumes in particular are driving the steady growth in cargo shipments, which increased by 29.1 per cent in the month of June alone compared to the same month last year.

The report also revealed the top routes from Abu Dhabi International Airport during the first six months of 2012 to be Bangkok, Doha, Manila, London and Jeddah, generating collectively 20 per cent of the traffic at the capital’s airport. Furthermore, the Far East achieved a 38 per cent share of passenger movements, followed by the Middle East with 25 per cent and Europe with 21 per cent during the first half of 2012 at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The capital’s airport also welcomed 1,232,298 passengers during the month of June this year, with a significant growth of 25.3 per cent compared to same period last year, with 9,858 aircraft movements registered during June 2012.

The traffic report for the month of June 2012 also showed that cargo shipment was also on the rise as it increased by 29.1 per cent in comparison with the same period last year, with the airport handling 47,632 tonnes of cargo.

This surge in growth in June follows the growth registered in the month of May, where ADIA welcomed over 1,182,000 passengers recording a robust 25 per cent growth over last year’s figures.