Passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport increased 10.3% to 923,124 in July 2009 – strong growth despite the economic downturn. 837,129 passengers passed through the airport during the same month last year. Five destinations accounted for 21.7% of all passenger traffic. London was the busiest with 50,900 passengers, followed by Bangkok with 40,465, Doha with 37,361, Cairo at 36,108, and Bahrain with 35,773.
The beginning of school holidays and increasing number of choices for passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport account for the increase in passenger traffic. Etihad launched new service to Larnaca, Istanbul, and Athens and new airlines started service from the airport – Sun Air, Bahrain Air, Jet Airways, Safi Airways, and Elite Aviation/Blue Wings. July 30 was the busiest day of the month with 32,895 passengers passing through the airport.
