Abu Dhabi: With travel restrictions across the globe easing, further clearing major flying routes towards full capacity, Abu Dhabi Airports has revealed extraordinary performance numbers in the initial 3 months of 2022 (Q1).
The Airport reported that it welcomed 2.56 million guests in Q1 2022, a 218 percent rise in volume compared to 807,310 which it posted in Q1 2021.
Apart from the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, new frequencies, routes and services have also considerably contributed to improved performance by the Airport.
FLIGHTS
Abu Dhabi Airports facilitated 22,689 flights during the same period compared to 16,351 in 2021, a 38.8 percent increase.
The first quarter continued to build on the momentum we saw in Q4 2021 as travel restrictions eased further, markets re-opened and airlines deployed capacity to accommodate the resulting surge in demand.
Mr. Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports observed about the exceptional performance by the Airport.
The Abu Dhabi Airports CEO further added that, “There is no doubt that developments such as the relaxation of travel restrictions to and from India, the re-opening of Australia and Singapore and the removal of mandatory PCR testing for passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi provided further lift.”
NEW SERVICES
The period also saw home carriers Etihad Airways, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi expand their operations with additional 10 new routes. The Airport also welcomed new carriers Go First and Pegasus Airlines to its operations.
PASSENGERS
During the first 3 months of the year, the Airport’s average passenger load factor doubled to touch 70 percent versus 35 percent recorded during the same period in 2021. The airport now offers flights to 99 destinations across the globe on 26 airlines compared to 81 destinations on 18 carriers during Q1 2021.
TOP 5 COUNTRIES
The top five countries in terms of passenger volumes during the period were;
- India (515,927)
- Pakistan (253,874)
- The United Kingdom (170,620)
- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (137,582) and
- Egypt (127,009)
BUSIEST DESTINATIONS
The busiest destinations being served by the Airport during Q1 2022 included London (123,055), Delhi (103,472), Islamabad (101,476), Kochi (90,022) and Dhaka (89,272).
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
During the 1st Quarter, customers continued to give high ratings to the services offered by the Airport. 98.4 percent travelers lauded the Airport for its cleanliness while 98.2 percent travelers felt safe and secure. Other indicators rated by visitors were happiness index (96.4 percent) and health safety (97.4 percent).
The overall satisfaction score as measured by Airports Council International (ACI) was 91.8 percent.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Abu Dhabi International also received the highly sought after ACI Airport Health Accreditation for the second year running in recognition of continued efforts to enhance health and safety measures in accordance with international standards.
CARGO
The baggage services at the Airport remained robust with 1,737,290 bags being processed via the baggage system in the first quarter at a delivery success rate of 99.8 percent.
The Airport also handled 144,114 tons of air freight during Q1, a decline of 15.7 percent compared to the 170,876 tons it had handled during the same period last year primarily due to the redeployment of cargo capacity to support passenger operations.
The Airport processed 1,835 tons of mail during the period compared to 2,518 tons during Q1 2021, a decline of 27.1 percent for the above stated reason.
Top cargo markets during the period included the Netherlands (12,835 tons) and India (12,720 tons).