Sharjah Airport welcomes over 17.1 Million passengers in 2024

Over 17.1 Million Passengers
Among the highlights of this exceptional performance, Sharjah International Airport welcomed a total of 17,101,725 passengers in 2024, marking an impressive 11.4% increase compared to 15,356,212 passengers in 2023. Additionally, the total number of flights rose to 107,760 flights, representing a 9.5% growth compared to 98,433 flights in 2023.
Record Growth in Cargo Operations
Cargo handling also saw unprecedented growth, with volumes increasing by a remarkable 38.6%, reaching 195,909 tons compared to 141,358 tons in 2023. Furthermore, the airport handled 14,035 tons through sea-air cargo operations, reinforcing its role as a key logistics hub.

A Global Hub for Air Transport and Logistics
His Excellency Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, emphasised that these record-breaking results reflect the airport's status as a global hub for air transport and logistics. He attributed this success to Sharjah Airport’s commitment to providing top-tier services and pioneering travel experiences aligned with its strategic plan to accommodate 25 million passengers annually by 2027.
Al Midfa added that the SAA continues to prioritise enhancing airport facilities, streamlining operations, and promoting sustainability in alignment with the UAE's aviation sector goals. This includes expanding partnerships with airlines and launching new travel destinations to meet the needs of passengers.

A Testament to Sharjah's Tourism and Economic Growth
Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, highlighted the airport’s passenger growth as a reflection of Sharjah’s remarkable advancements in tourism, economic development, and investment. These achievements are supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure, progressive governance, and robust legislative frameworks.

Seven New Destinations in 2024
Sharjah Airport expanded its network of new flight routes for passengers in 2024 by adding seven direct destinations to various global capitals and cities. Air Arabia launched direct flights from Sharjah Airport to Warsaw and Krakow in Poland, Athens in Greece, Vienna in Austria, and Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Additionally, Fly Oya introduced direct flights to and from Tripoli, Libya.

Six New Airlines Operating at Sharjah Airport
In 2024, the number of international airlines operating through Sharjah Airport increased, connecting passengers to over 100 global destinations. Six new airlines began operating flights via Sharjah Airport, including Fly Jinnah from Pakistan, UR Airlines from Iraq, Fly Oya from Libya, AJet from Turkey, Flynas from Saudi Arabia, and Iraqi Airways.

Boosting Air Cargo Operations
Sharjah Airport significantly enhanced its air cargo efficiency, attracting new airlines. Kenya Airways began cargo operations from Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania, while UPS initiated weekly routes connecting the Far East, Sharjah, and Europe. Tanzania Airlines launched regular flights from Dar es Salaam through Kenya to Sharjah, and Qatar Airways Cargo inaugurated cargo routes between Doha and Sharjah.

Supporting Food Security Projects
In alignment with Sharjah’s strategic food security initiatives, the airport facilitated the import of 2,200 cattle in 13 dedicated flights for the Department of Agriculture and Livestock’s Mleiha Dairy Farm project.

Active Participation in Local and International Events
Sharjah Airport Authority showcased its innovative services and new projects at several prominent events, including ITB Berlin in March 2024, the World Travel Market in London, and the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in May 2024. These participations reinforced Sharjah’s position as a key player in the global travel and tourism sector.

Productive International Visits
The SAA engaged in key international visits to stay abreast of industry innovations. In April 2024, a delegation led by H.E. Ali Salim Al Midfa attended the Passenger Terminal Conference 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany. Additionally, an engineering team visited Italy to review the progress of Sharjah Airport’s new passenger terminal and central utility facility expansion.

Strategic Partnerships
To enhance traveler services, the SAA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sharjah Police to streamline services and security measures. It also procured 67 advanced X-ray security systems to boost airport security.

Commitment to Sustainability and Excellence
Sharjah Airport reaffirmed its dedication to sustainability and operational excellence by achieving new certifications. The airport was accredited as a "Child- and Family-Friendly Destination" by the Sharjah Child-Friendly Office. Additionally, it renewed ISO certifications for integrated management systems, emphasising quality, environmental management, and occupational health and safety.
Additionally, the Sharjah Airport Authority successfully completed the renewal of its certification for the Document and Records Management Standard (30301), as well as the renewal of the Integrated Management System (IMS) certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. These certifications aim to unify multiple quality standards into a single framework, enabling the SAA to enhance principles of efficiency, compliance, and performance governance across various aspects of its operations.

The SAA also renewed a series of Customer Service Charter certifications (ISO 10002, ISO 10001, and ISO 10003), which focus on improving customer satisfaction through effective service delivery processes and complaint handling mechanisms.

Community Initiatives
As part of its commitment to community engagement, the SAA honored graduates of the second edition of the "Promising Generations" program, organized in collaboration with the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park. It also recognized winners of the “Because We Care” initiative, designed to gather customer feedback and enhance their travel experiences.