More than 1.2 million passengers passed through the Abu Dhabi International airport in February this year, an increase of 13.1 per cent over the same month last year.

Cargo volumes also increased by just under 17 per cent compared with last February, reaching 50,020 tonnes, according to Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).

Passenger traffic between India and Abu Dhabi grew the most in February, with an increase of 9.1 per cent compared with last year.

Other busy routes include Germany, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

The increase in passenger numbers is in line with expectations as the airport positions itself as a major transit hub.

Abu Dhabi’s main carrier Etihad Airways has ambitions to further expand its network and bring more traffic through the emirate’s international airport.

The airline signed a new codeshare agreement with it Air Seychelles in March, which enables it to operate flights between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong. Etihad Airways has an equity stake in Air Seychelles.

To handle the increasing passenger traffic, Abu Dhabi airport is investing in the upgrade of Terminal 3. Construction is also under way on the mid-field terminal, which is due to be completed in 2017.