Sunday January 15th, 2017

Sharjah, UAE – 15 Jan, 2017: Sharjah International Airport has earned great achievements and positive results during last year 2016 that were added to its record and enhanced its position as one of the main international airports in the region.

Sharjah International Airport recorded a10 per cent increase in passenger traffic in 2016 compared to 2015.A total of 11.048 million passengers passed through the airport in 2016 compared to 10.039 million in 2015.The aircraft movements increased by 6.3 per cent from 71.4 thousand to 75.9 thousand. The freight handled for the same period of 2016 recorded 180.9 thousand tons, and sea-air cargo 12.9 thousand tons.

HE Ali Salim Al Midfa,Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority stated: “We are pleased with what we have achieved during last year, following the directives of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and in executing the strategic plan of the airport in line with developments taking place in the aviation sector and travel market”.

He added:”Sharjah International Airport is moving forward towards the future, through putting the plans and programs that keep pace with the renaissance of the UAE in general and Sharjah in particular, and with UAE Vision 2021, that consistent with the aspirations of our wise leadership, and meet the expectations of our passengers and customers. Therefore, we constantly work on improving the airport to be always in the forefront”.

HE Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, said:”Sharjah is well known in the MENA region as the cultural destination of the Middle East and as a growing industrial and trade hub. Sharjah has managed to create a niche market with cultural tourism and the airlines that operate through Sharjah embrace and encourage the multiculturalism. Sharjah International Airport is a preferred travel option of many because of the efficiency of procedures and services”.

He added:”The airport witnessed an implementation of several initiatives and projects, including the start of construction of a new bridge for users of the airport, and installation of smart gates, in addition to welcoming new airlines and additional flights. Further, winning several awards contributed to the consolidation of the airport position’s locally, regionally and internationally. Also we hired more Emiratis”.

The Chairman thanked all partieswho contributed to this achievement from Sharjah Airport Authority, the Department of Civil Aviation and the various government entities operating in the Airport such as Sharjah police, immigration and customs”.

2016 highlights:

Sharjah International Airport has a list of achievements during 2016, in addition to its participation in many events, exhibitions and local and international conferences, and sponsoring sports tournaments and social activities as well as organization various initiatives as part of its CSR initiatives as follows:
• Sharjah International Airport launched a new Pharma & Healthcare handling facility at its Freight Centre. The state-of-the-art facility is IATA CEIV certified, the first in the MENA region, via its sole ground handling agent, Sharjah Aviation Services.
• Inauguration of new destinations contributed by Air Arabia, as well as increased flights of other airlines.
• Air India Express launched daily flights between Sharjah and Mumbai, India in April.
• In August, Jet Airways has launched daily flights between Sharjah and Mangalore, India.
• Sharjah Airport Authority won the Best Government Website in Sharjah during the Government Communication Forum (GCF 2016) Awards.
• Sharjah International Airport has received the Gold Award under Airport Category from Excellence Awards Academy.
• Sharjah International Airport has been awarded the Airport Carbon Accreditation ‘Level 2 – Reduction’ by Airports Council International (ACI) in April.
• In line with the implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, there will be a construction of a separate entrance for users of the Sharjah International Airport, to relieve the pressure on the users of the bridge that is used by residents and visitors of the residential areas and passengers of Sharjah International Airport.
• The airport launched 16 new Smart Gates in the airport’s arrivals and departure halls, with two facilitiesfor disabled passengers. Now, travellers can finish procedures in less thanten seconds.
• Sharjah Airport Authority, Sharjah Police Headquarters and Department of Seaports & Customs signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of inspection operations and related procedures, to implement all security requirements according to international standards.
• Sharjah Airport Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Sharjah, to strengthen cooperation between two parties through a strategic plan that develop employee skills using the best practices, promote scientific research and studies through special programmes.