UAE Aviation: 400,000 Passengers Daily and 12M Monthly

22 hours ago Editor

The UAE’s civil aviation network has seen a surge in passenger traffic, serving over 400,000 daily and contributing significantly to the national GDP. Investments in infrastructure and digital advancements fuel this growth despite facing challenges like sustainability and cybersecurity.

The UAE’s civil aviation sector continues to showcase impressive figures, serving over 400,000 passengers daily and around 12 million monthly. It moves more than 10,000 tonnes of cargo each day, according to UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, who highlighted these achievements at the opening of the third International Programme for Civil Aviation Leaders.

The sector boasts a robust workforce comprising over 9,400 registered pilots, 35,000 aircraft crew members, 4,400 maintenance engineers, and 463 air traffic controllers. Al Marri emphasized that the UAE’s air transport network is supported by partnerships with over 90% of the world’s nations, involving 189 air service agreements. The Middle East alone accounts for 13% of the UAE’s air connectivity.

Passenger numbers surged by 14.2% in the first half of 2024, with UAE airports welcoming more than 71.75 million passengers, up from 62.79 million last year. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) attributes this growth to continued infrastructure investments and strides in digital transformation.

The UAE’s aviation industry not only facilitates transportation but significantly contributes to the GDP. Al Marri pointed out that Dubai’s aviation sector contributed an estimated Dh 137 billion in 2023, representing 27% of Dubai’s GDP. Abu Dhabi Airports reported 21.7 million passengers in the first nine months of 2024, while Sharjah Airport saw over 4.39 million passengers in the third quarter, a 10% increase from the previous year.

Despite its success, the sector faces challenges such as geopolitical tensions, environmental sustainability concerns, and the complexities of supply chain management. Addressing these, Al Marri stressed the importance of joint efforts and cooperation to push the aviation industry towards sustainable innovation and advanced technology.