Boost in air travel between India and Abu Dhabi

Amid efforts to boost air travel between India and the UAE, there has been an overall increase in passenger traffic of 8 per cent in August as India remained the largest market for Abu Dhabi's International Airport, authorities said on Sunday.

Amid efforts to boost air travel between India and the UAE, there has been an overall increase in passenger traffic of 8 per cent in August as India remained the largest market for Abu Dhabi's International Airport, authorities said on Sunday.

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According to August 2009 traffic figures released by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), India remained the largest market for Abu Dhabi, with an overall increase in passenger traffic of 8 per cent.

Pakistan was at the second spot in terms of passenger numbers while UK was the airport's third largest market for the month, leaving Saudi Arabia in fourth place.

The UAE has tried to boost air travel from India so as to beat the worst economic downturn in generations.

"In this challenging time for the aviation industry, Abu Dhabi International Airport is still seeing positive growth, route developments, and increasing cargo loads," said Ahmed Al Haddabi, Senior Vice President, Airport Operations, ADAC.

The airport registered a 12.4 per cent increase in aircraft movements, a 6.2 per cent increase in cargo and a 2.5 per cent increase in total passenger movement in August.

In spite of the current global slowdown in air transport, the strength of our economy and the commercial fundamentals of the Abu Dhabi market have ensured increasing demand, Haddabi said.