DXB handled 8.2M in Aug
dubai — Dubai International (DXB) airport registered yet another month of record passenger traffic with 8.2 million travellers in August.
Boosted by the seasonal rush of travellers, particularly UAE residents returning for the start of the academic year, passenger traffic at DXB reached 8.233 million in August compared to 7.727 million recorded in the same month last year, an increase of 6.6 per cent.
The year-to-date traffic totalled 59.353 million passengers – up 6.3 per cent compared to 55.851 million recorded during the first eight months of 2016, according to the monthly traffic report issued by Dubai Airports on Tuesday.
“We are very pleased with the way things are shaping up this year, not only in terms of growth, which has been robust with passenger numbers exceeding the 8-million mark three times – in January, July and August, but also with our success in significantly enhancing the airport experience,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research, said that with 60 million passengers have passed through DXB year-todate, it will end 2017 on yet another high, cementing its status as world’s busiest international airport.
“Dubai Internationals continued pace of growth in 2017 shows no sign of stopping. With a record 8.2 million passengers handled at the airport, the peak summer season has shown that travel demand to and through the city has been driven by lower fares as well as greater travel connectivity options as key incumbent airlines like Emirates and flydubai lead the way in increased organic expansion,” he noted.
During August South America (27.4 per cent) was the fastest expanding market in terms of percentage growth followed by Asia (21.9 per cent), and Eastern Europe (18.8 per cent).
In terms of passenger volumes, India remained the top destination country with 10.44 million passengers in August, followed by the UK (611,254) and Saudi Arabia (610,434). London was the top destination city with 377,130 passengers followed closely by Kuwait (284,151) and Mumbai (211,564). The average number of passengers per flight during the month remained high at 246, up 7.2 per cent compared to 229 recorded in August 2016.
Flight movements totalled 34,370 during the month under review compared to 34,967 recorded in August 2016, marginally down by 1.7 per cent. Year-to-date flight movement totalled 274,549, down 1.5 per cent compared to 278,799* recorded during the first eight months in 2016.
Freight volumes surged to 221,508 tonnes in August, up 10.1 per cent compared to 201,100 tonnes recorded in the corresponding month in 2016. Year to date cargo reached 1,737,676 tonnes up 3 per cent compared to 1,686,277 tonnes recorded the first eight months last year.
— waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com