Air traffic at the capital's Al Bateen Executive Airport increased during the first four months of this year.
The business aviation hub of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) reported a 21 per cent increase in aircraft movement between January and April compared to same period last year.
More than 460 flights landed at the airport during this period, said Yousif Al Hammadi, the general manager of Al Bateen Executive Airport.
The airport also had an increase in commercial traffic - including small commercial and cargo aircraft - as it reported a rise of 3 per cent, reaching around 3,500 movements.
"The increase shows more people are using Abu Dhabi as a meetings destination," Mr Al Hammadi said.
"Now we are focusing on bringing more visitor aircraft to the airport to use it as a hub or as a stopover and refuelling."
The emirate's business climate recorded a slight improvement by 0.1 points in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi.
Currently, the Abu Dhabi-based international luxury flight services provider Royal Jet flies out of Al Bateen airport, with the rest of the traffic coming from private jets.
The airport claims it is Middle East's only dedicated private jet airport.
"With new development projects under way, Al Bateen looks forward to expanding its services and welcoming more international customers," Mr Al Hammadi said.
New developments in the pipeline include additional hangars for parking and maintenance of aircraft, a car park, VIP lounges, an airport hotel and retail offerings in the lounges.
Plans are also under way for more taxiways leading to the runway.
The airport has two flights daily to Dalma Island and Sir Bani Yas in the Western Region besides a daily flight to Fujairah.
In March, Al Bateen launched aircraft cleaning services by Falcon Aviation Services, which is based at the airport.
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Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
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OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
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19. Aston Villa 32
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