The UAE’s aviation sector has seen significant growth over the past decade, with total passenger traffic at the country’s airports exceeding one billion between 2015 and 2024, according to statistics from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.
Passenger numbers increased from 114.8 million in 2015 to 147.8 million in 2024, covering arrivals, departures, and transit travellers.
Aircraft movements rise
Aircraft movements also rose sharply, surpassing 6.4 million over the decade. By the end of 2024, more than 800,000 flights arrived and departed across UAE airports, reflecting the sector’s expansion and operational scale.
Global rankings and impact
The report highlights that the UAE ranked first globally in the air transport quality index and placed among the top ten worldwide in five additional aviation indicators. These achievements underscore the country’s efforts to enhance its aviation competitiveness, supporting economic sustainability.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said, “The sector continues to shape the future while delivering significant accomplishments.”
He added, “These outcomes reinforce the UAE’s standing on the global aviation and travel map, underlining the sector’s active role in driving national economic growth and competitiveness.”
Al Marri also emphasized the UAE’s “pioneering model in building a more efficient and sustainable aviation system, integrating technological innovations with the highest standards of safety and service quality.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
