OREANDA-NEWS. Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) today released its traffic performance results for the first half of 2013 revealing strong double digit growth of 12.6% in passenger traffic between January and June 2013, compared to the same period last year.

During the first six months, the airport welcomed 7.9 million (7,941,922) passengers and 65,072 flights representing a 10.4% increase in aircraft movement compared to the same period last year. Cargo traffic also increased in the first half of 2013, with 325,737 tonnes passing through the airport, a 21.5% increase compared to the first 6 months of 2012.

Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operations Officer at ADAC, commented: “The continuous significant growth that Abu Dhabi International Airport has been recording is directly impacted by the aggressive expansion plans of the hub carrier, Etihad Airways, and the increase in the number of partnerships with international carriers. This is a reflection of Abu Dhabi’s appeal not just as a leisure and business destination but also as an aviation hub. We look forward to further growth and will continue to invest in Abu Dhabi International Airport over the coming years to ensure world-class service and optimal efficiency for all our passengers and partners.”

Bangkok, London Heathrow, Doha, Jeddah and Manila were the top five destinations that registered the highest passenger traffic during the first half of this year from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

India recorded the highest traffic for the first six months of 2013, with traffic growing by 18% over the same period last year, followed by Saudi Arabia, Germany, Thailand and UK.