Abu Dhabi Airports has reported a 5.6% increase in passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) in May 2016.
A total of 1.982 million people travelled through Abu Dhabi, exceeding May 2015’s figure of 1.87 million. 
A number of destinations witnessed noteworthy growth in passenger traffic, with the UK exceeding its May 2015 figures by 18.4% and Egypt recording a 24.3% increase over the same period last year.
The number of travellers with Abu Dhabi as their final destination was 355,457 up by 4.6% with the top-five routes being: Mumbai, Doha, London Heathrow, Manila and Jeddah.
Arrival and departure transfers both showed an increase of 7.5% and 7.7% compared to the same month last year, while the total number of transfer passengers recorded was 1.279 million up by 7.6% reflecting the airport’s connectivity and position as a global hub.
Commenting on the strong growth in May, Abu Dhabi-based hospitality firm Twenty14 Holdings managing director Adeeb Ahamed said the increase in passenger traffic at ADIA combined with the steady growth in passengers at Dubai International Airport bodes well for the growth of tourism in UAE. “While forecasts at the start of the year showed modest growth for the hospitality industry in 2016, news of increasing visitors to the UAE points to the growing year-round tourism potential of the region driven by major leisure and tourism projects,” said Ahmamed, who’s company owns two five-star hotel properties in Dubai and London.
“Rising temperatures and the dip in day-time activities are some of the reasons behind the drop in tourist numbers during this period,” he added.
