In 2023, Abu Dhabi airports reported a 40% increase in travelers, with approximately 22.4 million passengers [cdbbf67e]. The surge in travelers was largely driven by passengers from the Indian subcontinent. The annual arrivals through the airports reached over 11.1 million, with departures standing at 11.3 million. This increase in figures coincided with air transport agreements and improvements made during 2023. Abu Dhabi's airports also experienced significant increases in aircraft traffic, with Zayed International Airport handling 141,225 flights and Al-Ain International Airport recording 8,409 flights in 2023. The Indian subcontinent topped the list of arrivals and departures through Abu Dhabi's airports, followed by Western Europe, Asia, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and East Asia. The surge in travelers highlights the aviation sector's achievement in managing air traffic and ensuring the smooth arrival and departure of all COP28 guests [cdbbf67e].
In Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines has signed a deal for the design of a new US$6 billion airport in Bishoftu [a5b96407]. The airport, described as the biggest in Africa, will have a capacity of 100 million passengers per year once completed in five years. The airline signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai-based consulting company Dar to develop the design for the airport, which will have four runways. The first phase of construction will have a capacity of 60 million passengers per year, with the completion of phase two increasing it to over 100 million passengers per year. Ethiopian Airlines is the largest airline in Africa, reporting revenue of US$7 billion for its 2023/24 financial year and carrying 17.1 million passengers. Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, the airline's current hub, has a maximum capacity of 25 million passengers per year [a5b96407].