Dubai Internatonal sees record numbers as it pushes towards number one spot

According to the report, the monthly passenger traffic at Dubai International reached 5,999,375 in August, a year on year increase of 23.8 per cent compared to 4,847,152 in the corresponding month in 2012. The surge is the result of a strong growth in almost all markets and the effect of Ramadan and Eid travel which further boosted traffic during the month.

With monthly traffic breaching the 5 million passenger mark for nine consecutive months, the year to date passenger number increased by 16.4 per cent to 43,971,839 compared to 37,784,946 recorded during the first eight months of 2012.

Spurred by the strong growth in markets such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, the AGCC routes topped the list of regions with the largest growth in passenger numbers (+289,021), Western Europe (+258,288) – which has been positively affected by the launch of Qantas’ services to Dubai; followed by the traditionally strong market of the Indian subcontinent (+163,657), and Africa (+89,533). *The top regions in terms of percentage growth in traffic included Eastern Europe (82 per cent), Australasia (45 per cent), and Asia Pacific (40.4 per cent).

Aircraft movements during August reached 31,198, up 11.5 per cent from 27,986 recorded during the corresponding month in 2012. During the first eight months of the year aircraft movements totalled 242,571, up 7.3 per cent compared to 226,064 during the corresponding period in 2012.

Year to date cargo volumes increased by 8.1 per cent to reach 1,588,716 tonnes compared to 1,469,476 during the first eight months of 2012. Monthly cargo volume contracted by 3 per cent in August reaching 184,877 tonnes compared to 190,770 tonnes in August 2012.

Commenting on the consistently strong performance of the hub, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, “The results have been very satisfying so far this year with the airport achieving traffic growth rate well over the projected figures. While five million passengers per month has become a standard at Dubai International, it’s worth noting that in August we were barely two Airbus A380s short of hitting the 6 million passenger figure.

Analyst Saj Ahmad said: “For Dubai International to notch up a huge 23% rise in passengers is not only a testament to the airports continued growth, it highlights the rising importance for the hub as a true global connection point. Emirates and Flydubai will of course have been key catalysts for the post-Ramadan expansion, but the added flights via other airlines flying to Dubai only serves as a reminder that the airport is fast approaching its 2013 goal of topping 65m passengers. On its current trajectory, the airport is well on track to displace Heathrow as the world’s busiest  international airport.”