Passenger traffic at UAE airports during the first three months of 2023 has increased by 56.3% compared to the same period last year, indicating the success of the aviation sector in restoring pre-pandemic passenger traffic levels. Over 31.86 million passengers traveled through UAE airports during this period, up from 20.38 million in Q1 2022.
The Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, highlighted the remarkable growth of passenger numbers, demonstrating global confidence in the UAE’s civil aviation sector and its ability to recover and achieve growth. He expects air traffic in UAE airports to continue growing this year, given the achievements of the aviation sector, including the recognition of Air Arabia, flydubai, and Wizz Air as among the world’s top 20 safest low-cost airlines.
Al Suwaidi also emphasized the UAE’s comprehensive legislative and regulatory system for unmanned aircraft, ensuring operational safety for both hobbyists and commercial use according to specified legislative frameworks. The UAE has invested more than AED1 trillion in its civil aviation sector and AED85 billion in developing and expanding airports to accommodate over 300 million passengers annually.
Moreover, Al Suwaidi highlighted the success of the UAE’s national low-cost carriers, Air Arabia, flydubai, and Wizz Air, which have contributed significantly to the growth of the aviation sector. The number of destinations served by national airlines has reached 536, making travel more accessible and convenient for passengers.
The aviation sector in the UAE plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, contributing about 14% of the gross domestic product. This is significantly higher than the 2 to 3% contribution made by the aviation sector in other major countries, indicating the importance of the sector to the UAE’s economic growth.
