Sharjah Airport Authority has disclosed its performance results for 2023 during the annual airport management meeting at Buhais Geology Park in Al Madam, Sharjah. The outcomes underscore the emirate’s prominent position on the global travel map and its delivery of exceptional services to passengers and businesses. According to the Authority, the number of passengers handled at the airport reached 15.3 million in 2023, representing a remarkable 17.4% growth compared to 13.1 million in 2022. The air traffic experienced a 12.5% increase, with over 98,000 flight movements in 2023 compared to approximately 87,000 in 2022. Additionally, the total cargo volume handled at Sharjah Airport in 2023 exceeded 141,000 tonnes.
To address the rising demand and enhance the airport’s operational capacity, the Authority introduced seven new passenger destinations, including Kuala Lumpur City in Malaysia, Kazan and Samara cities in Russia, Lar in Iran, Indore in India, and Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand. Furthermore, three new destinations for air cargo were incorporated: Houston in the United States, Kigali in Rwanda, and Nasik in India.
“These positive results indicate Sharjah Airport’s reputation and its remarkable potential in offering efficient and top-notch services. The Authority is looking forward to continue with these results, which will aid in positioning the airport as a preferred destination for both travel and cargo in the region. We will continue our expansion and development efforts in line with our aim to enhance the infrastructure and services provided, especially in the realm of self-travel to meet the expectations of the airline community, keeping our focus on offering distinctive travel experience for all passengers while expanding the airport’s network and connectivity,” said HE Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said in a statement.
Sharjah Airport maintains connections with over 100 destinations through 33 international airlines spanning 62 countries. India emerged as the top international travel destination, securing the first position based on passenger numbers, with over 3.4 million recorded passengers. Saudi Arabia claimed the second spot, followed by Pakistan, with passenger totals exceeding 1.5 million and 1.2 million, respectively. In 2023, the three most favoured cities were Doha, the capital of Qatar, hosting over 723 thousand passengers and experiencing a remarkable growth of over 95% compared to the previous year. Following closely were Dhaka, with a passenger count exceeding 633 thousand, and Cairo, accommodating approximately 488 thousand passengers.
“The notable rise in the number of passengers travelling through Sharjah Airport comes as the result of the Authority’s unwavering commitment to deliver top-notch services and stay in line with recent technological developments, thus ensuring a fast and comfortable travel experience that positions the airport as a preferred travel hub. Furthermore, we confirm our ongoing efforts to elevate the reputation of the airport on a global level, especially in light of our active participation in international forums, robust partnerships and collaboration to build the business ecosystem and diversify the options for customers,” reportedly said HE Sheikh Faisal bin Saoud AlQassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority.
