Among the top travellers to Abu Dhabi in the first half of this year were Indians, according to a passenger traffic study. According to Khaleej Times, Abu Dhabi Airports, which operates the Abu Dhabi International, Al Ain International, Al Bateen Executive, Delma, and Sir Bani Yas Island airports reported that 6.30 million people used the airports between January and June of this year. In addition, the study noted that 94,538 domestic and foreign flights had been registered from the five airports in the first half of the year. Notably, Pakistanis ranked among the most frequent travellers in the study, after Indians


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Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, the CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, noted the passenger traffic results represent "another stride forward" for Abu Dhabi Airports and the wider industry. "While 2021 was a successful year, the target for 2022 was always to build on that momentum".


Al Hashmi said, as quoted by Khaleej Times, "by catering to higher numbers of travellers and expanding our airline network with partners while staying committed to the highest levels of service excellence. The resumption of regional and global markets, as well as successful efforts of airlines to accommodate demands safely and effectively, have been instrumental to achieving these figures. Looking ahead, our aim is to continue building on this success throughout the second half of 2022."


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According to Khaleej Times, the number of scheduled passenger flights at Abu Dhabi International Airport alone increased by 94 per cent compared to the first half of 2021. The airport is connected to 101 destinations served by 23 airlines -- compared to 76 destinations by 19 airlines in the same period last year.


The top five countries in terms of passenger volumes at the airport during H1 2022 are India (1.28 million), Pakistan (485,000), the UK (374,000), Saudi Arabia (333,000) and Egypt (283,000), as per Khaleej Times. Meanwhile, the top five destination airports were London Heathrow (276,000), Delhi (225,000), Mumbai (221,000), Kochi (217,000) and Cairo (203,000).


In terms of passenger volumes at the airport during the second quarter, the top five countries were India (764,000), Pakistan (231,000), the UK (203,000), Saudi Arabia (195,000) and Egypt (156,000). The top five destination airports were London Heathrow (153,000), Mumbai (146,000), Kochi (126,000), Delhi (123,000) and Cairo (114,000).


Load factors also increased to 73 per cent, compared to 33 per cent only during the same period last year, as per the passenger traffic report cited by Khaleej Times. India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed on February 18 this year. It came into force on May 1 this year.


(With inputs from ANI)