Abu Dhabi Airports and SITA have agreed to work on a new AI-powered airport management system.
Air traffic across the United Arab Emirates’ capital increased by 13.1% over the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, processing 15.8 million passengers. Centralising real-time data and operational analytics, the Intelligent Total Airport Management (ITAM) could play a significant role in making Abu Dhabi airports more efficient.
Andrew Murphy, chief information officer at Abu Dhabi Airport, said:
By enabling Zayed International Airport to become one of the world’s first truly connected digital airports, and by powering this with ITAM at the core, we are creating a unified operational source of truth that accelerates growth and sets a new global benchmark for smart, seamless journey.
Zayed International processed 15.5 million travellers between 1 January and 30 June 2025. Abu Dhabi currently plans to attract 39 million visitors a year by 2030, while it plans for its government to become the world’s first AI-native bureaucracy in 2027. Improving airport operations through technology will be key to achieving targets and making Abu Dhabi a more streamlined hub for its home carrier, Etihad, which also harbours ambitious growth plans.
However, Zayed International operates on a limited footprint and has to find new ways to optimise its space for travellers. Selim Bouri, SITA’s president for the Middle East and Africa, told AIN:
We’re seeing the number of aircraft in the region about to double and passenger numbers growing more than planned. The reality is that airports are not going to grow as quickly in terms of size, and it will take five to 10 years to build new mega airports.
Join us at Aviation Festival Asia 2026, where Andrew Murphy, CIO, Abu Dhabi Airports will be joining us for a keynote presentation on airport technology.
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