Record month for DXB as pax traffic hits 5.8 million in March

Passenger traffic in March surged by 20.6 per cent, the highest since August 2012, to 5,846,297 compared to 4,848,320 in March 2012, the fourth consecutive month with more than 5 million passengers and a double-digit growth. 

The strong showing has boosted the year to date traffic to 16,486,417, up 15.6 per cent compared with 14,261,606 recorded during the first three months of 2012. 
In terms of percentage growth, Eastern Europe was the fastest-expanding market (+67.9 per cent) driven by Emirates airline’s launch of new services to Poland and flydubai’s service to Macedonia, followed by Asia Pacific (26.5 per cent). 

Dubai International recorded a total of 31,713 aircraft movements in March, up 8.3 per cent compared to 29,276 in March 2012. The year to date movements increased 5.9 per cent to reach 91,130, compared to 86,014 recorded during the first three months in 2012. 

Cargo volumes also surged in March with Dubai International recording 213,248 tonnes of cargo, an increase of 14.7 per cent compared to 186,417 tonnes in March 2012. The year to date cargo traffic grew by 13 per cent reaching 584,847 tonnes compared to 517,440 tonnes during the corresponding period in 2012. 

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, “We have had a very successful first quarter highlighted by record growth and the opening of the world’s first purpose built A380 facility. I am particularly pleased that we are now not only the world’s second busiest international hub but also one of the most efficient with 208** passengers per aircraft movement thanks to our growing number of A380 operations which led the world in 2012 with 7,259 A380 flights to 28 destinations.” 

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Dubai Airports growth continues to surpass the record breaking year seen in 2012 and March traffic figures suggest another big year for the airport. 

As always, the robust and continued growth by Emirates and flydubai has been instrumental in the airports stunning 20% rise in traffic year on year - both airlines are expanding faster than their competition and it looks likely that this trend will not change for the year.” 

Ahmad concluded: “It also proves that Dubai has established itself as a true global crossroad - the airport figures are proof of that.”