The UAE’s airports have handled nearly 98 million passengers in the first eight months of 2024, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This milestone, celebrated on October 5 during ‘UAE Civil Aviation Day,’ marks a 12.6% increase compared to the same period last year.
The day commemorates the landing of the first airplane in Sharjah in 1932, which laid the foundation for what has become a globally recognized aviation hub. The UAE now operates 10 airports, including eight ranked among the busiest in the world, and boasts six national carriers. The aviation sector contributes 13.3% to the country’s GDP, up from less than 1% in 1971.
Officials stressed the importance of sustainable growth and the ongoing enhancement of infrastructure to maintain the UAE’s global leadership in aviation.