Abu Dhabi International Airport recorded a 17.2 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in February 2010.

The total volume of passenger traffic for February was 803,444 people, compared to 685,508 in 2009, according to figures released by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac).

Aircraft movement at the airport increased by 13.3 per cent in February to 8,447 from 7,430 in 2009 and cargo volumes also increased year-on-year. The total volume of tonnage handled at the airport in February was 31,480 tonnes, which is a 17.6 per cent increase from the 26,758 tonnes in February 2009.

Figures for the year to date also showed an increase of 14 per cent. In January, the airport recorded a total volume of passenger traffic of 903,000, an 11.2 per cent year-on-year.

Adac attributed the increase in passenger traffic seen in January to the growth in the number of conferences and exhibitions held in the capital. A contributing factor to the increase in January cargo volume was the large volume of aid sent to Haiti following the earthquake (MEED 24:2:10).