ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Airports today released Abu Dhabi International Airport’s (AUH) traffic report for the month of September 2013. Over 1.3 million (1,369,051) passengers travelled through the airport last month, demonstrating a significant growth of 10.1 percent compared to the same period in 2012.

The report also revealed that the Capital City airport registered a 12.1 percent growth in passenger traffic in the first nine months of 2013 compared with the same period last year (Jan-Sept 2012), with 12,249,300 passengers handled this year.

Aircraft movement reached 11,379 in September 2013, representing a 13.1 percent increase, while cargo traffic also grew, marking a 27.6  percent increase with more than 61,913 tonnes of cargo moved last month.  

The top five destinations in September 2013 were Bangkok, London, Doha, Manila, and Sydney.

Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operations Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said:  “Efforts to attract new airline partners and new routes, alongside strategic investments in infrastructure, will enable Abu Dhabi International Airport to further accommodate the increase in passenger traffic whilst providing them with a wider choice for efficient travel solutions.

"The Capital’s airport has established itself as a regional hub for air transport and will continue to firmly hold this position as Abu Dhabi Airports delivers the Midfield Terminal Building in 2017.”

Abu Dhabi Airports have been implementing a "capacity enhancement" with the objective to enable Abu Dhabi International Airport to accommodate more than 17 million passengers annually  covering improvements to existing facilities, the most recently the new arrivals hall, earlier this year.

Travellers are now able to access parking, taxis and limousines just 20 metres away from the customs lounge, through the new tunnel connecting the customs area with new Arrivals Hall.