Airport News
All the latest airport news
China Southern inaugural flight arrives at Vancouver
The inaugural China Southern Airlines flight arrived at Vancouver International Airport as the water cannons covered the aircraft. Read more
LIAT advise new airport tax at St.Lucia Airport
Our friends at LIAT have reminded us inform anyone who is about to travel or thinking of travelling to St. Lucia that there is now an additional airport tax to pay. Read more
Dubai International Airport forecast to become busiest by 2015
Dubai Airports today announced its ten year traffic forecast for Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International (DWC) that projects international passenger and cargo traffic will increase at an average annual growth rate of 7.2% and 6.7% respectively, outperforming industry projections for average annual growth of 5% globally.* By 2020 passenger numbers will reach 98.5 million and cargo volumes will top 4.1 million tonnes. Read more
Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies receives certification from General Civil Aviation Authority
Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies receives certification from General Civil Aviation Authority Read more
Passenger traffic up 10% - cargo tonnage up 21% in April for Abu Dhabi airport
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) have released its monthly traffic report for Abu Dhabi International Airport, which shows the double-digit growth experienced since the start of 2010 is still holding strong. In spite of cancellations of flights due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland which grounded many flights to and from Europe during the month, the airport recorded a passenger traffic increase of 10.1%, up to 866,475, in the month of April.
| Traffic | April | Calendar Year to Date | ||||
| 2010 | 2009 | % Var | This Year | Last Year | % Var | |
| Passengers (000) | 866 | 787 | 10% | 3,445 | 3,054 | 13% |
| Aircraft movements | 9,128 | 8,218 | 11% | 36,128 | 31,918 | 13% |
| Cargo (tons) | 33,874 | 27,937 | 21% | 134,252 | 110,084 | 22% |
The month of April 2010 saw aircraft movement increase by 11.1%, compared to the same month in 2009. Cargo movement through the airport also increased substantially in April, with tonnage handled up by 21.3% over the same month in 2009.
London, Doha, Bangkok, Manila and Jeddah were the top five city destinations; whilst the USA was the fastest growing country destination for the month, with a 160% increase in passenger traffic over the same period in 2009. This growth can largely be attributed to the launch of Etihad’s Chicago route and its growing connectivity to the American market through its code share agreement with American Airlines.
| NO | DEST | TOTAL PAX |
| 1 | LONDON | 39,079 |
| 2 | DOHA | 37,932 |
| 3 | BANGKOK | 34,667 |
| 4 | MANILA | 34,302 |
| 5 | JEDDAH | 32,039 |
| 6 | BAHRAIN | 27,524 |
| 7 | CAIRO | 26,429 |
| 8 | LAHORE | 23,013 |
| 9 | FRANKFURT | 21,251 |
| 10 | SYDNEY | 19,988 |
Ahmed Al Haddabi, Senior Vice President of Airport Operations, ADAC, said:
“In spite of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the volcanic ash cloud that spread from Iceland across Europe during several days in April and thereby grounding numerous flights to and from the continent, Abu Dhabi International Airport continued to record double-digit growth, which is a great result. The increases illustrate the strong fundamentals of our economy and the strength of our tourism offering in Abu Dhabi. ADAC will remain focused on enhancing the facilities and services we offer to our passengers, and to attracting new airlines to our airport hub.”
Al Bateen Executive Airport posts 30% increase in aircraft movements
The newly GCAA-certified Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Gulf Region’s first and only dedicated private aviation airport, has announced a 30% increase in aircraft movements in the first quarter of 2010 versus the same period last year. The announcement was made in Geneva at the 10th European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE 2010); Europe’s premier private aviation industry exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland.
EBACE is the annual meeting place for the European business aviation community. The exhibition brings together business aviation leaders from aircraft firms including operators, manufacturers, and distributors, to brokers, handling organizations, and fractional providers as well as charter/lease companies. This offers Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) an opportunity to showcase its dedicated private jet airport, Al Bateen Executive Airport situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi amongst 400 international exhibitors and more than 11,000 attendees.
ADAC’ senior officials attending EBACE commented: “EBACE is the key event in the private aviation calendar, and we have been delighted to showcase Al Bateen Executive Airport at the show for the second year running. With a 30% increase in aircraft movements and an ILS precision approach capability upgrade being underway, the airport is establishing itself as the hub for business aviation in the Middle East. The airport saw high level of interest in its facilities and services and this interest is expected to continue to rise.”
As part of ADAC’s strategic expansion, a multi-million dollar re-development is currently under way at Al Bateen Executive Airport, which will cover all aspects of operation from the upgrade of its airfield, hangar and aviation support facilities to the re-modelling of its passenger facilities including lounges and terminals. The construction of a hotel and expansion of the parking and retail facilities is also part of the master plan.
As per ADAC’ sources the number of private aircraft in the Middle East and Africa is continuously increasing; in 2009 there were around 530 privately and company-owned jets operating, or on order. This number is expected to grow to approximately 1,190 by 2018. Al Bateen Executive Airport, only 5 km from Abu Dhabi city centre, is perfectly poised to support operators wishing to service the regional and international demand.
The UAE currently has the highest concentration of business jets (37.8%) in the Middle East region, followed by Saudi Arabia (34.4%); the rest of the region making up the remaining 27.8%.
Good month for Abu Dhabi International Airport as traffic grows
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) have released its monthly traffic report for Abu Dhabi International Airport, which shows strong passenger and cargo growth for February 2010, over the same month last year.
Passenger traffic increased by 17.2% with aircraft movements up by 13.3% and cargo tonnage handled grew by 17.6%, compared to February 2009. The year-to-date figures, for the first two months of the year, also showed robust growth at 14.0%.
Bangkok became the airport’s busiest destination in February, pushing London into second place with Doha the third busiest city destination for the month. Bahrain and Manila were fourth and fifth place respectively; the top-five destinations accounting for 21 per cent of the airport’s overall traffic.
Ahmed Al Haddabi, Senior Vice President of Airport Operations, ADAC, said:
“From the start of this year, we have seen encouraging results as Abu Dhabi International Airport continues to grow steadily and strongly. As such ADAC remains focused on enhancing the facilities and services we offer to our passengers, committed to attracting new airlines, and ensuring we can facilitate the growing number of visitors to and from the UAE capital in 2010.”
Korean Air Lounge at Incheon Airport ranked No.1 in Asia Pacific
Korean Air’s Lounge at Incheon International Airport Concourse A has been named “Priority Pass Lounge of the Year 2010” in Asia Pacific by Priority Pass, a UK-based company that provides worldwide cross-airline airport lounge access.
In a survey of its one million-plus members worldwide this year, Priority Pass says Korean Air’s Incheon lounge was voted No.1 among 109 candidates in the Asia Pacific region.
Commenting on the award, Mr. Chi Chang-Hoon, President and Chief Operating Officer of Korean Air, said “We are very pleased that our efforts in providing our customers with a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience have been recognized by this prestigious award. We would like to thank our customers and all Priority Pass members for their continued support.”
“This award serves to remind all of us at Korean Air to continue to work towards providing the best travel experience to our customers from ground to air. It also sits well with our ‘Excellence in Flight’ corporate slogan,” continued Mr. Chi. “Priority Pass Lounge of the Year” was created to honor excellence in airport lounge services worldwide and encourage enhancements.
Korean Air has partnered with Priority Pass since 1999 and currently has 13 lounges in the program, including New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.
Passenger traffic down by 2.7%; cargo down by 8.2 % - world airport traffic 2009
Among the top 20 busiest airports worldwide, Beijing, Dubai, Bangkok and San Francisco were the only airports registering new growth. Beijing leaped to rank 3 with growth of 17 percent.
Amongst those airports reporting international traffic results, Beirut, Kuwait and Sharjah were the leaders of the top 100 international airports and the only ones showing double digit growth. Dubai grew by 9.6 percent solidifying its 6th rank. Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul airports were the only other two among the top 20 international airports that reported growth of 9 percent and 8 percent respectively. Mexico City and Cancun both suffered declines of 13 percent in international passengers as a result of significant declines in the wake of the H1N1 outbreak in the second quarter of 2009.
SUMMARY: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR 2009, compared to final results 2008
Total Passengers: 4.4 billion, -2.7%
Total International Passengers: 1.8 billion, -4.2%
Total Cargo (includes mail): 71.3 million metric tonnes, -8.2%
Total International Freight: 41.7 million metric tonnes, -10.1%
Total Aircraft Movements: 63.9 million, -5.5%
