Abu Dhabi Airports is witnessing a remarkable surge in air traffic and freight capacity at Thahnoon International Airport, recently renamed in honour of the late Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan. During the third quarter of 2026, the airport recorded 14,724 flight movements, marking an impressive growth rate of 17.1% compared to the same period in 2025.
Significant Growth in Air Traffic
Since the beginning of 2026 until the end of September, Thahnoon International Airport has facilitated a total of 48,558 flight movements, which represents an increase of 17.9% over the corresponding timeframe in the previous year. The air cargo sector experienced even more substantial growth; the airport handled 2,335 tonnes of cargo in the third quarter alone, reflecting a remarkable 63% increase compared to the same quarter in 2025. Overall, cargo volume for the year to date has reached 7,335 tonnes, resulting in an astonishing growth rate of 110.4% compared to the equivalent period in 2025. By the end of November 2026, the number of scheduled passenger flights at Thahnoon International Airport is expected to rise to 16 per week, translating to an increase of 60%.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure
The growth in both air traffic and cargo is underpinned by Thahnoon International Airport’s strategic location, which provides seamless access to key aviation hubs and ports across the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The airport is conveniently located within a one and a half-hour drive from Zayed International Airport and is close to a vast area of five million square metres equipped with infrastructure in the free zone. This integrated setup offers businesses opportunities to leverage an expanding network of air, sea, and rail transport connections.
Future Developments
Expectations for enhanced connectivity are set to increase further with the completion of the Hafit Rail Project in 2028, which will connect Thahnoon International Airport to the UAE’s Union Railway network and Port Sohar in the Sultanate of Oman.
Statements from Abu Dhabi Airports’ Leadership
Ahmad Jumaa Al Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, stated: “The growth being recorded by the airport underscores its strategic significance and its increasing role in bolstering trade and travel, thanks to its connections with a broad network of aviation centres and primary ports across the country and the GCC. With the completion of the Hafit Rail Project, which will link the airport to the Union Railway network and Port Sohar in Oman, we look forward to enhancing its logistics capabilities and expanding regional connectivity to support the sustainable growth of trade and travel through the Al Ain region.”