A record-breaking year sees Abu Dhabi Airports surpass 33 million passengers, as Zayed International Airport powers global connectivity, cargo growth and the emirate’s rise as a leading aviation hub….reports Asian Lite News
Abu Dhabi Airports has recorded its strongest year on record, handling more than 33 million passengers in 2025, marking the highest annual traffic in the emirate’s aviation history and confirming Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a major global air hub.
The milestone was driven by sustained network expansion, strong airline partnerships and growing demand for travel through the capital. Traffic volumes across the emirate’s five airports have doubled over the past three years, underlining the pace of Abu Dhabi’s aviation transformation. Zayed International Airport (AUH), the flagship of the network, has also been identified as the fastest-growing mega airport in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, according to the latest traffic data.
The record-breaking performance was fuelled by the continued expansion of AUH’s international network. Over the course of the year, 39 new routes were launched and seven new airlines joined the airport, strengthening connectivity to key markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Airlines increased frequencies on high-demand routes while opening new links to both established global hubs and fast-growing secondary cities, further enhancing Abu Dhabi’s role as a transfer and point-to-point destination.
Zayed International drives historic traffic surge
In its second full year of operations, Zayed International Airport accounted for nearly 98 per cent of all passenger traffic across the emirate’s airports and 73 per cent of aircraft movements. The final quarter of 2025 alone saw 8.59 million passengers pass through AUH, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.8 per cent and capping a year of sustained double-digit growth.
Carriers including China Eastern Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Jazeera Airways and Etihad Airways either launched or expanded services throughout the year. New routes connected Abu Dhabi to major global hubs such as Atlanta, Hong Kong and Addis Ababa, while also opening new links to emerging markets including Berlin, Hanoi, Pune and Warsaw. These additions not only expanded the airport’s reach but also strengthened its attractiveness to both leisure and business travellers.
Several days in 2025 saw passenger traffic exceed 100,000 travellers per day, a significant operational milestone that places AUH among the world’s most efficient high-capacity airports and reinforces its position as a preferred gateway for international travel.
Regional airports and cargo see strong gains
Growth was not limited to the capital’s main hub. Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI) and Al Ain International Airport (AAN) also recorded notable increases in activity. Aircraft movements at AZI rose by 15.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year and by 7 per cent over the full year, reflecting strong demand for private and business aviation services. Meanwhile, AAN experienced a sharp rise in passenger numbers, up 48.1 per cent in the final quarter and 9.2 per cent for the year, highlighting renewed momentum in regional connectivity.
Cargo operations also delivered strong performance, with nearly 770,000 tonnes of freight handled across Abu Dhabi’s airports in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 12 per cent. The growth reflects the emirate’s rising appeal as a logistics gateway, supported by its strategic location and expanding trade corridors linking Asia, Africa and Europe.
Awards and long-term momentum
The year also marked a series of industry recognitions for Abu Dhabi Airports. Zayed International Airport was named Best Airport for Retail at the 2025 Frontier Awards and received Highly Commended status at the 2025 Aviation Business Awards. The airport also secured ACI Level 2 Accessibility Accreditation and Level 3 Customer Experience Accreditation, alongside recognition for its advanced technology systems and passenger experience initiatives.
Ahmed Juma Al Shamisi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said surpassing the 33 million passenger mark was both a proud achievement and a clear signal of operational readiness to meet rising global demand. He noted that the results reflect years of investment, planning and coordination across the airport ecosystem, and reaffirmed the group’s focus on expanding cargo and logistics capabilities while maintaining world-class service standards.
