Monday April 23rd, 2018
Sharjah International Airport (SIA) managed to achieve positive growth rates in the number of passengers handled increased by 5.11%, reaching 2.88 million passengers during the first quarter of this year, compared to 2.74 million passengers in the same period, last year, while the average monthly number of passengers traveling through SIA, in the first quarter of 2018, has increased to more than 960,000 passengers, compared to 913,000 passengers during the first quarter of 2017.
From January 1 to March 31, 2018, aircraft movement (regular and irregular flights) increased by 4.69% to 19,441 flights, compared to 18,569 flights during the same period last year. The volume of cargo handling during the same period of this year was 42,987 tons, and sea/air freight cargo handling was approximately 3,136 tons.
HE Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said “The number of passengers handled and air movement through Sharjah International Airport continues to grow as a result of the efforts made by Sharjah International Airport (SIA) within past months, upon implementing the directives of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to keep abreast of developments in the aviation sector in various fields through upgrading services. Despite this growth, we will continue to focus on improving the quality of services we provide to our passengers in order to exceed their expectations and fulfill their aspirations.”
He added, “SIA’s growth was a result of a number of factors, including the increase in passenger travel during the winter break and holiday season, the launch of a new flight service from Sharjah to Asmara by Air Arabia, new flights from Sharjah to Faisalabad, Islamabad, and Lahore, by Shaheen Air International, as well as new operating flights from Sharjah to Hyderabad and Lucknow by IndiGo.”
HE Sheikh Faisal bin Sauod Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, stressed that SIA will continue to provide the best services and facilities to attract new air partners that will help to contribute to the increase in passengers, for whom SIA has become the first option of travel to and from the UAE.
In terms of freight movement, HE Sheikh Faisal bin Sauod Al Qassimi said there were a number of challenges faced by the freight movement at the regional and global levels, which was reflected in the total volume of freight moving through SIA, including the reduction in flight frequencies by many airlines such as Lufthansa Cargo, Singapore Airlines, and Etihad Airways, as well as a reduction in the number of ATS Hong Kong flights and a decrease in cargo volumes to African destinations.
Despite these regional and global challenges, SIA achieved positive results in cargo volume during the past months, recording 31.97 thousand tons, and the distribution of 10.44 thousand tons in January, 10.07 thousand tons in February, and 11.45 thousand tons in March.
HE Sheikh Faisal bin Sauod Al Qasimi extended thanks to all of SIA’s stakeholders: passengers, customers, airlines, travel agents, private tour operators and private companies for supporting SIA’s operations and trusting in Sharjah International Airport’s services and facilities.
Since January 2018, SIA has participated in many specialized, high-profile international exhibitions and events, as part of its marketing and promotional strategy to attract more airlines and shipping companies to operate from SIA, to support the airport’s primary objective of enhancing Sharjah’s regional and global status.
