Sharjah International Airport achieved a 3.29 percent growth in passenger traffic during the first nine months of 2017.

The total number of passengers that passed through Sharjah International Airport in the first nine months of 2017 grew to 8.611 million up from 8.336 million during the corresponding period last year.

The airport handled 3.118 million passengers in the third quarter of 2017, a 4.08 percent increase compared with the 2.996 million passengers reported during the third quarter of 2016. Aircraft moving through Sharjah International Airport increased to 21.02 thousand in the third quarter of 2017, a 3.26 percent increase compared with 20.36 thousand recorded during the same period in 2016.

The total volume of cargo handled through the airport during the third quarter of the year exceeded 40.66 thousand tonnes, including 19.92 import tonnes, 14.58 export tonnes and 6.15 transit cargo tonnes. The total volume of sea-air cargo during the period from July to the end of September was 2.24 tonnes.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Airport Authority, said, "The positive results in terms of the number of passengers and the volume of aircraft movement reflect the excellent position of the Sharjah International Airport and the continuous efforts made by the airport, under the directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in developing services and providing the best facilities and procedures to passengers and customers to ensure a comfortable travel experience through the airport.

"We are committed to continuing working with our strategic partners and looking for more growth opportunities to expand the airport capacity, keep pace with development and expansion and meet the needs of various markets through attracting more international airlines."

Sheikh Faisal bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, said, "The growth in the number of passengers is due to the great position of the emirate of Sharjah as a strategic economic, business and tourist hub in the region, and to the excellent services provided by the airport to aircraft and the expansion in their destinations."

He added that more services and benefits will be provided to customers to ensure the airport will continue to be a leader in its field and enhance passenger loyalty and satisfaction. He thanked all the strategic partners of the airport for their continuous efforts to enhance the work and provide the best services to travellers and customers.