SAA to showcase expansion plans for Sharjah Airport at ITB Berlin

Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) is all set to participate at the ITB Berlin 2024, a global platform that brings together exhibitors, business leaders, and experts from the tourism and travel sector.

The Authority will unveil the latest developments, services, and amenities offered by Sharjah Airport, highlighting its commitment to transforming airport experiences through the expansion of its technology infrastructure and comprehensive digital transformation.

Under the umbrella of Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority, the SAA’s participation is part of its ongoing efforts to enhance Sharjah’s position as a thriving tourist and economic destination by establishing connections with leading international companies and expanding the network of destinations at Sharjah Airport.

Through its participation at the event, Sharjah Airport Authority seeks to enhance its global presence and foster connections with the global leaders of the tourism and travel sector.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said: “During our participation at ITB Berlin 2024, we are committed to reviewing the Airport’s expansion plans, services, and facilities offered to customers.”

“The exhibition has gained an increasing global significance, attracting a larger number of participants from 165 countries worldwide this year.”

He added: “This premier trade exhibition offers us a platform to showcase Sharjah Airport’s recent accomplishments over the past year, which played a crucial role in enhancing the Airport’s capacity to meet the increasing travel needs at Sharjah Airport.”

“During the event, we will also highlight the improvements made in the infrastructure of digital services and the amenities offered to passengers.”

This year, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA) - a one-stop-shop for airline reservations, customised holiday packages, cruises, hotel reservations and global visa services, and one of the UAE’s fastest growing travel agencies - will participate at ITB Berlin.

The agency aims to strengthen its communication channels with international companies and explore new prospects of collaboration through its participation at the global exhibition.

Sharjah Airport Authority’s annual participation in the ITB Berlin is an integral part of its international agenda. This year, its participation holds special significance due to the commencement of the passenger terminal expansion project. Additionally, Sharjah Airport has achieved its highest performance to date, having welcomed over 15.3 million passengers in 2023.

Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) showcased its major developments that are currently underway and planned for its Cargo Centre during the three-day Air Cargo India 2024 in Mumbai, India.

The event was attended by delegates from leading international airports, airlines, air cargo companies, as well as representatives from international commercial aviation and air cargo service organisations.

As part of its participation in the event, SAA showcased the latest services and solutions available at the Sharjah Airport’s Air Cargo Centre.

Furthermore, it sought to engage in meetings with different air cargo companies, shipping agents, and other global logistics service providers. These meetings provided a platform for evaluating strategies to strengthen connections and promote cooperative efforts. They also allowed participants to share their experiences, opinions, and ideas with industry experts and decision-makers to improve air cargo operations, while also attracting more air cargo companies to Sharjah Airport.

A total of 15.3 million passengers passed through Sharjah Airport in 2023, marking a 17.4 per cent increase compared to 2022. Air traffic witnessed an increase of 12 per cent with more than 98,000 flight movements last year as compared to around 87,000 in 2022.

Meanwhile, the total volume of cargo handled through the airport in 2023 reached over 141,000 tonnes.

The airport handled flights to seven new destinations, including Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Kazan and Samara cities in Russia, Lar in Iran, Indore in India, as well as Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand.

It also added three new destinations for air cargo, including Houston in the United States, Kigali in Rwanda, and Nasik in India.

According to a recent report, Sharjah Airport has recorded over 4 million in passenger traffic with in the third quarter of 2023, recording a rise of over 12 per cent compared to the same period 2022. In addition, air traffic during the period reached 26,000, furthermore, the volume of freight handled during the period reached around 35,000 tonnes.

Sharjah International Airport is an international airport located 7 nautical miles east-southeast of Sharjah. It has one runway, and is the only airport in Sharjah capable of international flights as of 2022. Sharjah International Airport is the third largest Middle East airfreight hub in cargo tonnage, according to official 2015 statistics from Airports Council InTernational.