The aviation industry in the UAE has seen remarkable expansion in the last ten years, with passenger traffic at the country’s airports exceeding one billion from 2015 to 2024, as per data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.
Additionally, the number of aircraft movements surpassed 6.4 million within the same time frame, as reported by the state news agency, WAM.
The findings showcased the UAE’s leadership in the aviation sector, highlighting its top position globally in the air transport quality index and its placement within the top ten for five other performance measures.
Officials indicated that these results mirror the vision and directives of the leadership aimed at boosting the sector’s competitiveness at both regional and global levels, making it essential for the national economic stability.
UAE’s Prominent Position in Global Aviation
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism and chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), attributed the sector’s success to effective national strategies and initiatives executed under the guidance of the leadership. He emphasized that this sector is instrumental in shaping the future while achieving significant milestones.
“These results strengthen the UAE’s position on the global aviation and travel landscape, emphasizing the sector’s vital role in fostering national economic growth and enhancing competitiveness,” Al Marri noted. “They also demonstrate the country’s innovative approach in developing a more efficient and sustainable aviation framework, merging technological advancements with the highest standards of safety and service excellence.”
The centre’s data illustrated that passenger traffic at UAE airports rose from 114.8 million in 2015 to an anticipated 147.8 million in 2024.
The overall number of passengers, encompassing arrivals, departures, and transit travelers, surpassed one billion over the decade.
Aircraft movements steadily increased, reaching over 800,000 by the close of 2024, resulting in a cumulative total of over 6.4 million flights arriving and departing throughout the ten-year period.