Abu Dhabi Airports handled 8.61 million passengers across its five-airport network in the third quarter of 2026, a 1.4 per cent increase on the same period last year and ahead of its internal September target. Zayed International Airport accounted for 8.45 million of those passengers, up 1.2 per cent year-on-year.
”Our recent performance demonstrates what is possible when an entire emirate operates with a single, synchronised vision. Abu Dhabi Airports is not merely responding to demand; we are actively compounding the natural advantages of our location through world-class operational efficiency, safety, and network density. By removing friction and expanding capacity alongside our airline partners, we ensure that every new route added directly amplifies Abu Dhabi’s global economic footprint, delivering an unmatched experience for our passengers while reinforcing our position as an indispensable gateway for global trade and tourism,” Ahmed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports said in a statement.
Cargo growth was sharper. Total tonnage across the network reached 225,298 tonnes for the quarter, an 11.4 per cent year-on-year rise, with dedicated freighter cargo up 28.2 per cent. Aircraft movements at Zayed International came to 49,427, a 0.7 per cent increase, while network-wide movements rose 3.8 per cent to 69,615.
Route expansion drove much of the volume gain. New carrier partnerships with Condor, Royal Jordanian, Air India Express, and Oman Air, combined with fresh routes from Etihad Airways and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, lifted Zayed International’s destination count from 112 to 124.
Daily passenger throughput averaged 94,000 through the summer peak, with the airport exceeding 100,000 passengers a day on multiple occasions in September.
India was the top origin market, sending more than 671,000 passengers through the airport in September alone. Over the rolling 12-month period, passenger volumes across the network reached 30.2 million.
Tahnoun International Airport, formerly Al Ain International Airport and recently renamed in honour of the late Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, posted its own strong numbers: aircraft movements rose 17.1 per cent and cargo volumes climbed 63 per cent year-on-year in the quarter.
