The UAE reached a historic milestone in its aviation sector, recording over one million air traffic movements in 2024, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This achievement reflects a remarkable 10.3% growth in air traffic compared to 2023. The one-millionth movement was marked on December 22 with the arrival of Emirates Flight 305 from Shanghai.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the GCAA, hailed this as a significant achievement, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to positioning itself as a global hub for air transport. “This is not just a numerical milestone but a testament to the country’s investment in infrastructure, technology, and human capital,” he said, noting a 20% increase in air traffic over the past two years.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, credited this success to strategic planning and collaboration within the aviation sector. He emphasized the authority’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety, efficiency, and airspace capacity through advanced technologies and innovative solutions implemented at the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre, one of the busiest air traffic control hubs globally.
The aviation sector remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s economy. In Dubai alone, aviation-related tourism contributed AED 43 billion to the GDP and supported 329,000 jobs. Globally, aviation’s economic impact is estimated at $4.1 trillion, highlighting the UAE’s pivotal role in the industry.
