Abu Dhabi airport has reported a 10 per cent increase in passenger traffic for September, compared with the same period last year.

More than 1.3 million passengers travelled through the airport in September, according to the latest statistics from Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC). Passenger growth in the first three quarters of the year has now reached more than 12 per cent compared with last year, with 12.3 million passengers passing through the airport.

Much of the airport’s growth is being driven by the expansion of Abu Dhabi flag carrier Etihad Airways. The airline reported an 11 per cent increase in passenger numbers for the third quarter of this year, compared with the same period last year. About 3 million passengers used the airline.

Etihad Airways has also seen passenger revenues soar, reaching about $1bn in the third quarter of this year, compared with $938m in the same period last year.

In October, the chief executive officer of ADAC, Tony Douglas, confirmed that Abu Dhabi airport’s Midfield Terminal would be officially open by 17 July 2017. This terminal will only be used by passengers of Etihad Airways and its codeshare partners.