Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of the emirate’s five airports, including Zayed International Airport, handled more than 33 million passengers in 2025, marking the highest annual passenger traffic in the emirate’s history.
This sustained performance reflects a doubling of passenger traffic across the emirate’s airports over the past three years. Zayed International Airport also emerged as the fastest-growing mega airport in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to the latest global air traffic data, as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The record-breaking figures were driven by the continuous expansion of the international destination network, with airlines adding new destinations, increasing flight frequencies on high-demand routes, and strengthening air connectivity across key markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Zayed International Airport added 39 new routes and welcomed seven new airlines. In its second full year of operations, the airport accounted for approximately 98% of total passenger traffic and 73% of aircraft movements across the emirate. It handled 8.59 million passengers in the fourth quarter of 2025, recording annual growth of 13.8%.
This remarkable growth was supported by the expansion of airline services by carriers including China Eastern Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Jazeera Airways and Etihad Airways. New destinations included major global hubs such as Addis Ababa, Atlanta and Hong Kong, as well as emerging markets including Berlin, Hanoi, Pune and Warsaw.
During 2025, the airport also recorded several days with more than 100,000 passengers, highlighting its operational efficiency and strengthening its position as a preferred hub for both direct and connecting travel.
Ahmed Gomaa Al Shamsi, Acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, stated that surpassing 33 million passengers was a major achievement for the team and a clear indication of its operational readiness to meet growing global demand.
Abu Dhabi Airports recorded several milestones in 2025, including its 19th consecutive quarter of double-digit passenger growth. For the first time, total annual passenger traffic across the emirate’s five airports exceeded 30 million.
These results reflect sustained growth over several years, driven by network expansion, stronger airline partnerships, and continued investment in capacity and passenger experience.
Other airports in Abu Dhabi, including Al Bateen Executive Airport and Al Ain International Airport, also recorded growth. Aircraft movements at Al Bateen increased by 15.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with annual growth reaching 7%.
Meanwhile, Al Ain International Airport recorded a significant 48.1% increase in passenger traffic during the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2024, with annual growth of 9.2%.
Air cargo volumes across Abu Dhabi’s five airports also witnessed notable growth in 2025, with approximately 770,000 tonnes handled, marking a 12% year-on-year increase and highlighting the emirate’s growing appeal as a trade and logistics hub.
Zayed International Airport also received the Airports Council International’s Level 2 Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation and Level 3 Passenger Experience Accreditation, in addition to awards recognizing its advanced technology systems and passenger experience initiatives.
To view the announcement on the Emirates News Agency (WAM) website, click here.
