Abu Dhabi Aviation Market set for Strong Growth in 2012

Manchester, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

Capital of the UAE to host the world's largest civil aviation
event this week

The Abu Dhabi aviation market is set for strong growth in 2012,
according to the latest OAG data. Seat capacity is expected to
increase to 9.9m (one-way) this year, up 12% from 8.9m in 2011. The
latest numbers highlight that the capital of the United Arab Emirates
is still outgrowing not just the global aviation market, but also the
Middle East aviation market that expects a 6% growth in seat capacity
this year.

The number of departures from Abu Dhabi International Airport is
estimated to grow by 8% this year, from 50,700 to 54,600. The fact
that the number of seats flown rises faster than the number of
flights underlines a trend towards long-haul flights operated by
larger aircraft.

Abu Dhabi's growth as a global aviation hub is fuelled by the
success of Etihad Airways, which accounts for a 71% market share in
2012. The national airline of the Emirates will offer around 7m seats
at Abu Dhabi International this year, an increase of 900,000 seats or
15%. Second to Etihad are Qatar, airberlin and Air India Express
which each account for 3% of the market.

The most significant market for flights to and from Abu Dhabi is
Asia, with 3.5m one-way seats flown this year, followed by the Middle
East with 3m seats and Europe with 2.2m. However, the most dynamic
market is currently Africa. The continent witnesses a 25% increase in
seats flown (up to 672,000), with Europe and Asia being the other key
growth markets (up 17% and 15% respectively).

The latest OAG data was released ahead of the 18th World Route
Development Forum which will take place from 29 September to 2
October 2012 in Abu Dhabi. It is the largest global event of its
kind, determining the future of air services. Hosted by Abu Dhabi
Airports Company, the 2012 event is targeted to attract over 2,750
delegates from more than 120 countries, representing over 300
airlines and 750 airports.

David Stroud, Executive Vice President, Routes comments: "The fact
that Abu Dhabi one of the global centres of aviation growth makes it
more than fitting that the city hosts the world's civil aviation
community this week for its largest annual gathering. The decisions
that will be taken at World Routes in the coming days will shape air
services for years to come."

Notes to Editors

About Routes

- Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport 
networking events
          through its regional and global Route Development Forums. 
Each year, there is one
          global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, 
Europe, the Americas and CIS
          respectively. http://www.routesonline.com
        - Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester 
UK?based ASM Ltd., a
          consultancy specialising in the field of route development 
for airports.
          http://www.asm-global.com
        - Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd 
in August 2010.
          From 1st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities 
Conference and Exhibition
          become part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.
        - UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for 
companies across five
          continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch 
new products, promote their
          brands and expand their markets. Through premiere brands 
such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC,
          TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the Routes
portfolio of events,
          Airport Cities and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, 
conferences, awards programs,
          publications, websites and training and certification 
programs are an integral part of
          the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 
industry sectors.
          http://www.ubmlive.com

About OAG

OAG is the trusted source for aviation information and analytical
services, with data sourced from OAG's comprehensive and proprietary
airline Schedules, Flight Status, Fleet, and Cargo Logistics
databases. Our airline schedules database holds future and historical
flight details for over 1,000 airlines and more than 4,000 airports.
Our aggregated data feeds the world's global distribution systems and
travel portals, and drives the internal systems of many airlines,
airports, air traffic control systems, aircraft manufacturers, and
government agencies around the world. For more information, visit
http://www.oag.com

Follow us on twitter: @Routesonline, @TheHUBRoutes,
@VictoriaRoutes, @RouteExchange, @airlineroute

ORIGINAL APA-OTS TEXT - THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE IS SUBJECT TO THE EXCLUSIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ISSUER | PRN

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