Abu Dhabi Airports has announced a remarkable achievement for 2024, welcoming over 29.4 million passengers across its five commercial airports. This marks a significant increase of 28.1% compared to the 22.9 million passengers recorded in 2023, solidifying Abu Dhabi's status as a key global aviation hub.

The surge in passenger traffic can be attributed to several factors:

• Network Expansion: Zayed International Airport (AUH) played a pivotal role in this growth, launching 29 new routes and expanding its network to over 125 destinations.
• New Airlines: The airport welcomed eight new airlines, including British Airways, Air Astana, and Flynas, enhancing connectivity and attracting more international travelers.
• Increased Aircraft Movements: There was a 10% rise in aircraft movements, totaling 249,747 in 2024, driven by high demand from markets such as the UK, India, Qatar, and Egypt .

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports highlighted 2024 as a record-breaking year for passenger and cargo growth, emphasizing the company's commitment to providing world-class travel experiences and supporting Abu Dhabi's economic diversification. Cargo volumes also increased significantly, growing by 21% to 678,990 tonnes.

In addition to passenger growth, Abu Dhabi Airports has invested in key infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Northern Runway Rehabilitation Project and the inauguration of a new US Customs and Border Protection facility, the first of its kind in the Middle East and Asia. These developments aim to enhance operational efficiency and passenger convenience.

The airport has also focused on improving the passenger experience through various initiatives, such as introducing biometric touchpoints and establishing a Sensory Space for travelers with special needs. Zayed International Airport was recognized as the World’s Most Beautiful Airport at the Prix Versailles, further enhancing its global reputation.

With these achievements, Abu Dhabi Airports is well-positioned for continued growth and remains a vital link connecting Abu Dhabi to the world.

Singapore Changi Airport has been named the World's Best Airport for 2025 at the Skytrax World Airport Awards, marking its 13th time receiving this prestigious honor. This achievement underscores Changi's commitment to providing an exceptional travel experience, with features like automated check-in, passport-free immigration, and a wide array of dining options.

The airport also won awards for the World's Best Airport Dining and the World's Best Airport Washrooms, further highlighting its dedication to customer satisfaction. Additionally, it was recognized as the Best Airport in Asia.

Changi Airport's success is reflected in its recent performance, with a significant increase in passenger traffic. In 2024, the airport handled 67.7 million passenger movements, a 14.8% increase from the previous year, reaching 99.1% of its pre-pandemic levels. This recovery is notable given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global travel.

The busiest month in 2024 was December, with 6.4 million passenger movements, surpassing six million for the first time since December 2019.

The airport's growth is also attributed to its strategic expansion of global connectivity. In 2024, Changi welcomed 10 new airlines, including Air Canada, Air Japan, and Peach, and launched 20 new routes to destinations such as Brussels, London Gatwick, and Vancouver. This expansion has been facilitated by close collaboration with airline partners, contributing to the airport's reputation as a leading aviation hub.

Changi Airport is not just a transportation hub but also a popular destination in itself. It features attractions like the Jewel Changi complex, which includes a butterfly conservatory and the Rain Vortex, the world's largest indoor waterfall. These amenities, combined with its excellent service and facilities, make Changi Airport a standout among global airports.

In the same awards, Doha's Hamad International Airport ranked second, recognized for its luxury shopping and named the Best Airport in the Middle East. Tokyo Haneda Airport took third place, noted for its cleanliness and accessibility facilities. This year's awards highlight the ongoing excellence of Asian airports, with several others ranking highly in the global list.

Changi Airport's recognition extends beyond the Skytrax awards. It was also named the Overall Winner at the Routes Asia 2025 Awards, acknowledging its excellence in airport and destination marketing. The airport's commitment to service quality and its strategic partnerships have been instrumental in its success, positioning it as a premier global aviation hub.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is gearing up for an extraordinary influx of travelers during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, with over 3.6 million guests expected to pass through its terminals from March 26 to April 7. The busiest day of this period is forecast to be Saturday, April 5, when a staggering 309,000 travelers are anticipated. On average, daily traffic will reach approximately 276,000 guests, with the first week of April seeing the sharpest increase.

This surge is driven by strong demand for travel to key destinations such as India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, as well as a notable rise in leisure travel to places like Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and Italy. The Eid holiday coincides with the spring break for schools, further boosting travel demand.

To ensure a seamless experience for travelers during this peak period, Dubai Airports has introduced several innovative measures. The recently launched DXB Express Maps, a smart wayfinding tool, provides real-time navigation across all terminals. By scanning a QR code on flight information screens, passengers can easily locate their gates, explore dining and retail options, and find nearby facilities.

Additionally, the airport has enhanced services for People of Determination, including clearly marked accessibility routes, discreet support for guests wearing Sunflower Lanyards, and a dedicated Assisted Travel Lounge in Terminal 2. Dubai Airports is working closely with airlines, service providers, and government authorities to streamline passenger flows and deliver a hassle-free experience throughout the holiday period.

In preparation for the increased traffic, Dubai Airports has also implemented a range of operational enhancements. These include extended operating hours for check-in and baggage drop-off counters, as well as increased staffing levels at security checkpoints to minimize wait times. Furthermore, passengers are encouraged to take advantage of online check-in and baggage drop-off services to expedite their journey.

The airport's Smart Gates, which utilize facial recognition technology, are also being optimized to reduce processing times for departing passengers. To enhance the overall travel experience, DXB is offering a variety of entertainment and dining options, including live performances and special promotions at its restaurants and shops.

Travelers are advised to plan ahead and arrive at the airport with ample time to spare. Dubai Airports recommends that passengers arrive at least three hours before their scheduled flight time for international travel and two hours for domestic flights. This will allow sufficient time for check-in, baggage drop-off, security screening, and immigration processing.

Additionally, passengers can stay updated on flight schedules and airport operations through the Dubai Airports app or social media channels. With these preparations in place, Dubai International Airport is poised to deliver a memorable and efficient travel experience for all visitors during the Eid holiday peak.

Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) has reached a significant milestone in its expansion journey with the inauguration of state-of-the-art Concourses D and E on March 19. This development increases the airport’s total floor space to 845,000 square meters across its five concourses (A, B, C, D, and E), marking a 14% growth compared to pre-expansion levels.

The new concourses, spanning 102,000 square meters collectively, introduce 17 additional contact gates, bringing the total number of contact gates to 62—a 40% increase. This expansion boosts HIA’s annual passenger capacity to 65 million, further solidifying its position as a global aviation hub.

The enhanced gate capacity and optimized flight operations are set to significantly improve connectivity for both passengers and airlines. According to HIA officials, the expansion will eliminate approximately 350,000 bus transfers annually, streamlining the movement of passengers between aircraft and the terminal.

These upgrades ensure greater connectivity, streamlined operations, and a significant reduction in bus transfers, stated HIA.

In addition to operational improvements, the new concourses feature cutting-edge self-boarding systems, leveraging smart technology to expedite document verification and reduce wait times. This innovation promises a faster, more efficient boarding process, enhancing the overall travel experience. 

The expansion also introduces 2,700 square meters of new retail space, including nine retail and food and beverage outlets, offering passengers a diverse range of shopping and dining options.

Hamad Ali al-Khater, Chief Operating Officer at HIA, highlighted the airport’s growing passenger numbers, noting that HIA served nearly 53 million passengers in 2024. The completion of Concourses D and E marks the final phase of an ambitious expansion project that began in 2018. 

This transformative journey included the unveiling of the ‘ORCHARD’ in 2022, a 6,000-square-meter indoor tropical garden that redefines the passenger experience with its serene ambiance.

The expansion also features an enhanced Central Concourse, designed to improve passenger flow and operational efficiency, alongside a revamped retail and dining portfolio showcasing global luxury brands and diverse culinary offerings. 

With these advancements, HIA continues to elevate traveler comfort and reinforce Doha’s status as a key global aviation hub, catering to the growing demands of international carriers and passengers alike.

Dubai Airports, the world’s busiest international airport operator, has been awarded the 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA), a prestigious recognition for its outstanding commitment to employee engagement.

This accolade places Dubai Airports among an elite group of organizations globally that prioritize creating a thriving workplace culture where employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to excel.

Achieving the 75th percentile in employee engagement, Dubai Airports has set itself apart as a benchmark for workplace excellence, a feat accomplished by only a small fraction of organizations worldwide.

The award underscores Dubai Airports' innovative strategies to adapt to a rapidly evolving work environment. Meshari Al Bannai, Chief People Officer at Dubai Airports, highlighted the organization's focus on wellbeing, growth, and collaboration as key drivers of its dynamic workplace culture.

“Engaged people drive success," he stated, emphasizing how the company empowers its teams to contribute meaningfully to the future of aviation.

Gallup's research, which informed the award process, is one of the most comprehensive workplace studies ever conducted, involving over 3.3 million employees across 347 organizations in 90 countries.

The findings reveal that highly engaged workplaces outperform in critical areas such as productivity, profitability, customer experience, and employee retention. 

Jon Clifton, Gallup’s CEO, praised this year’s winners for setting new standards in workplace engagement and demonstrating how exceptional workplaces drive tangible business results.

This recognition comes as Dubai Airports continues to lead in global aviation. In 2024, its flagship airport, Dubai International (DXB), welcomed a record 92.3 million passengers and maintained its position as the world’s top airport for international passenger traffic.

With ongoing expansion plans and a focus on innovation and sustainability, Dubai Airports is not only shaping the future of aviation but also redefining what it means to create an exceptional workplace.