Abu Dhabi International Airport handled a record 9.02 million passengers during the last calendar year, according to Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) which released the traffic figures for 2008.

The aircraft movements at Abu Dhabi International Airport too saw a similar 13.2 per cent hike rising to 93,163 in 2008 when compared to 82,287 in 2007.

With passenger traffic up 30.2 per cent, from 6.9 million in 2007, Abu Dhabi International Airport closed the year on a high having reached the target milestone which adds to the continuing and historic growth and development the airport is undergoing, said a top Adac official.

“Adac is absolutely delighted to have crossed another historic milestone and passed the nine million a year passenger figure,” said Adac chairman Khalifa Al Mazrouei.

As world-wide industry trends show a general slowing of passenger traffic, growth rates for December reflected a more modest growth pattern but were still extremely positive at an industry-busting 12.1 per cent increase, he pointed out.

Cargo in the last month of 2008 saw a slight decline over December figures last year but overall cargo figures, for the full 12 months, saw a steady 12.2 per cent increase – a total of 353,820 tonnes (arrival and departure cargo only) handled.

“We are grateful for the ever increasing number of passengers who, quite clearly, are looking to Abu Dhabi as an airport of choice in the UAE and region,' he added.

In achieving this milestone Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, must be recognised for its commitment to boost connectivity and frequencies to and from the UAE capital, Mazrouei observed.

'In addition I would like to thank the increasing number of partner airlines that are continuing to choose Abu Dhabi as a regional and international hub together with our longstanding customer airlines, particularly those who have increased their services to Abu Dhabi and have been improving their connectivity,' he added.

Mazrouei said the expansion plans will take another giant step forward in the next few weeks as Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new Terminal 3 look to go fully operational, further boosting the airport passenger capacity to 12 million per year.

The best-in-class facility will be predominantly used by Etihad Airways and its passengers although, in addition to the increased capacity it will offer the airport, the new terminal will also offer a brand new retail and F&B environment.

The Adac also named the top five most popular city destinations travelled to, from Abu Dhabi, in December 2008 as Doha, London, Cairo, Bangkok and Bahrain.-TradeArabia News Service