UAE private airport sees 26% rise in traffic

Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Gulf region's only dedicated private aviation airport, announced a 26 percent rise in visiting business aviation traffic in the first four months of this year, versus the same period last year. The airport, operated by Abu Dhabi Airports Company, also announced a 6 percent increase in total commercial aircraft movements over the same period, reported official Emirates news agency WAM. In April, the airport registered a rise of 38 percent in visiting aircraft compared with the same month last year, while the total commercial traffic increased by 5 percent during that period. The airport registered 3,391 commercial aircraft movements in the first four months of this year, including 65 new visitors. "Overall commercial traffic growth registered at the airport is particularly encouraging and reflects that Al Bateen is now well established as a thriving and important business aviation hub," said Yousif Al Hammadi, acting general manager of Al Bateen Executive Airport. The coming months will see improvements to the airport services, including the completion of an in-flight catering facility, the completion of renovation at hangars and the development of office facilities, reported WAM.