Dubai International passenger traffic rises 15.1%

Dubai International, the world’s second busiest hub for international passengers recorded its tenth consecutive month with more than 5 million travellers, according to the monthly traffic report for October issued today by airport operator Dubai Airports.

Passenger traffic in October totalled 5,667,698, up 15.1 per cent from 4,923,246 recorded during the same month in 2012. The year to date traffic climbed 15.9 per cent to 55,046,863 compared to 47,488,586 recorded during the corresponding period last year.

Western Europe recorded the largest increase in total passenger numbers in October (+159,278 passengers), followed by the AGCC (+132,169), the Indian subcontinent (+126,150 passengers), and Africa (+67,884 passengers).

The strongest markets in terms of percentage passenger growth* were Eastern Europe (+55.5 per cent) mainly driven by Emirates airline’s operations to destinations in the region, followed by Australasia (41.3 per cent) a region that has experienced robust growth as a result of Qantas’ launch of operations to Dubai earlier this year; Russia and CIS (+22.7 per cent), and Asia Pacific (+21.4 per cent).

Aircraft movements in October rose 9.1 per cent to 32,279 from 29,578 recorded during the same month in 2012. The year to date movements totalled 305,596, up 7.8 per cent from 283,551 movements between January and October 2012.

Dubai International handled 208,695 tonnes of cargo in October, an increase of 3 per cent over 202,619 tonnes recorded during October of 2012. The year to date freight volumes reached 1,994,234 tonnes compared to 1,877,616 tonnes handled during the corresponding period last year, an increase of 6.2 per cent.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said that growth in passenger traffic at Dubai International has been better than expected so far this year and that the airport is on track to exceed the projected annual figure of 65.4 million by a margin.

“The record aircraft order at the recently concluded Dubai Airshow 2013, a considerable part of which was placed by Emirates airline, is a clear indication that our more than five decade track record for growth is not only set to continue but get better. The ongoing expansion of Dubai’s aviation infrastructure is in preparation to welcome that growth,” he said.