Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29 January 2026:
Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of five airports across the emirate including the flagship Zayed International Airport (AUH), concluded 2025 with an unprecedented passenger milestone, welcoming more than 33 million travellers. This marks the highest annual passenger traffic in Abu Dhabi’s history and confirms Zayed International Airport’s position as the fastest-growing mega airport in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
For the first time, Abu Dhabi’s total annual passenger traffic surpassed the 30 million mark, highlighting the emirate’s rapid expansion as a global aviation hub. Passenger volumes across Abu Dhabi’s five airports have doubled over the past three years, supported by sustained network growth, enhanced airline partnerships, and major investments in infrastructure and passenger services.
Zayed International Airport accounted for nearly 98% of total passenger traffic and 73% of aircraft movements across the network. In Q4 2025 alone, AUH handled 8.59 million passengers, representing a 13.8% year-on-year increase. The airport also recorded multiple days with more than 100,000 passengers, underlining its operational efficiency and growing popularity among global travellers.
The strong performance was driven by the expansion of AUH’s international route network, with 39 new routes launched and seven new airlines joining the network. Carriers including China Eastern Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Jazeera Airways and Etihad Airways introduced new services or increased frequencies to key destinations across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. New routes connected Abu Dhabi to major global hubs such as Atlanta, Hong Kong and Addis Ababa, as well as emerging markets including Berlin, Hanoi, Pune and Warsaw.
Ahmed Juma Al Shamisi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said the achievement reflects the organisation’s readiness to meet rising global demand. He noted that surpassing 33 million passengers is a significant milestone and a testament to the dedication of Abu Dhabi Airports’ teams and the strategic vision of the emirate’s leadership. He added that the focus remains on sustaining growth through operational excellence and expanding cargo and logistics capabilities to support Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic development.
Other airports in the Abu Dhabi Airports network also recorded notable growth. Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI) saw aircraft movements increase by 15.3% in Q4 2025 and by 7% for the full year, while Al Ain International Airport (AAN) recorded strong passenger growth of 48.1% in Q4 and 9.2% annually.
Cargo operations also delivered robust results, with nearly 770,000 tonnes of freight handled across the network in 2025, representing a 12% year-on-year increase. This growth highlights Abu Dhabi’s rising importance as a global logistics and trade gateway.
In addition to operational achievements, Abu Dhabi Airports received multiple industry recognitions in 2025, including Best Airport for Retail at the Frontier Awards and Highly Commended recognition at the Aviation Business Awards. Zayed International Airport also earned ACI Level 2 Accessibility Accreditation and Level 3 Customer Experience Accreditation, along with awards for innovative technology systems and passenger experience initiatives.
These milestones reinforce Abu Dhabi Airports’ multi-year growth trajectory and its ambition to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-class aviation and logistics hub.
