Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi)
The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced on Monday that air traffic movements in 2024 surpassed 1 million, marking an unprecedented milestone in the country's drive to solidify its position as a global aviation hub after the pandemic.
The Air Traffic numbers represented a 20% increase in air traffic from last year and coincided with growing passenger footfall in airports that was up to 150 million by the end of the year.
The successful data represented a moment of validation for an industry that has undergone rapid reforms to recover from near-closure during the global pandemic and has worked tirelessly in 2024 to avoid being impacted by regional geopolitical tensions.
According to official statistics, the country's airlines, which had been heavily impacted by COVID-19, fully recovered in 2024, expanding their capacity to 87.1 million seats - a 10.5% increase from 2023 and a 15% rise compared to 2019, their lowest point.
The aviation industry has long been central to the UAE's economic strategy, serving as a key driver for the country's growing tourism sector. A series of global accolades and major investments received in 2024 reinforce the sector's significance and growing influence.
Most notably this included the inauguration of Zayed International Airport, celebrated for its innovative design and earning accolades as the "World's Most Beautiful Airport," as well as the launch of a Dh128 billion terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, set to be the world's largest. The new infrastructure has enabled the UAE's two largest cities to accommodate more guests and handle additional flights from a wider range of carriers.
"The addition of new airlines and the strong performance of our existing partners reflect the confidence in Abu Dhabi as a leading aviation hub," Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports said in a statement on strong numbers back in October.
This success trickled down into the tourism sector which experienced a significant boom in 2024, increasing revenues to Dh236 billion in 2024, representing approximately 12% the country's gross domestic product (GDP), according to forecasts by the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Hotel revenues in the UAE reached Dh33.5 billion during the first nine months of 2024, a 4% rise from the same period in 2023, with occupancy rates across the seven emirates climbing to 77.8%, among the highest globally.
"Supported by strong air connectivity, Dubai has a prominent presence on the global stage for trade, investments, tourism, and is a leading player in aviation and logistics," His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, and Chairman of Dubai Airports said in a statement.
Looking ahead to 2025, the continued growth in international tourism and travel could amplify the momentum already seen in the UAE. In December, global airline body IATA projected industry-wide revenue exceeding a trillion dollars and record passenger numbers for 2025, an opportunity the UAE is poised to capitalise on.