DXB’s 83 million passenger target well in sight as 6.4 million welcomed in October
AT A GLANCE
dubai — Dubai International (DXB), the world’s leading international hub, remains on track to achieve a predicted record traffic surge to 83 million passengers by year-end, received 6.4 million passengers in October.
In October, passenger traffic at DXB reached 6,420,208 passengers compared to 6,250,810 recorded in the corresponding month last year, an increase of 2.7 per cent. Year to date, passenger numbers at DXB have risen 6.8 per cent to 69,366,094 compared to 64,947,684 recorded during the first ten months of 2015, said a monthly traffic report issued by Dubai Airports, which manages the operation and development of Dubai’s two airports – DXB and DWC.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, cargo numbers impressed during October with the biggest monthly increase we’ve seen all year. “On the passenger side, we remain on track to achieve our forecast for 83 million passengers by year-end. Accordingly, DXB is sure to retain its status as the leading airport worldwide for international passenger traffic.”
Eastern Europe led the pack again as the fastest-growing market in October (+25.2 per cent) thanks to additional capacity and new services launched by a number of airlines, followed by South America (9.9 per cent), Asia (8.2 per cent) and the Indian Subconti- nent (6.7 per cent). India remained the top destination country (901,958 passengers), followed by the UK (493,181 passengers) and Saudi Arabia (349,198 passengers).
London continued to be the top destination city out of Dubai with 301,024 passengers followed by Doha (230,561 passengers) and Mumbai (177,590 passengers). Baku (+108.7 per cent) topped the list of cities in terms of percentage growth, followed by Amritsar (80.9 per cent), Calicut (56.8 per cent) and Cape Town (49.3 per cent) due to increased capacity. A total of 35,294 flights operated at DXB during the month under review compared to 34,921movements recorded in October 2015 representing an increase of 1.1 per cent. Year to date 347,463 flights operated at DXB, up 3 per cent compared to 337,426 recorded during the same period in 2015. The average number of passengers per flight during the month was 191 up from 187 during October of last year.
October’s freight volumes totalled 236,169 tonnes, up 9.5 per cent compared to the 215,714 tonnes handled during the same month last year. Year to date cargo volumes reached 2,127,589
DXB is sure to retain its status as the leading airport worldwide for int’l passenger traffic Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports
tonnes, up 2.8 per cent compared to 2,069,360 tonnes recorded during the same period last year.
DXB, the world’s number one airport in terms of international passenger traffic and number three globally in terms of total passenger traffic, had overtaken London Heathrow in 2014 to become the world’s busiest airport and handled 78 million passengers in 2015. The airport opened Concourse D a few months ago, and expects to boost traffic to 83 million in 2016.
The airport’s Concourse D’s opening in February has increased its capacity to 90 million passengers a year. Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International, has been designed to be the world’s largest “airport of the future” with a capacity of 220 million passengers when fully operational.
With the ongoing expansion, the two Dubai airports are set to serve up to 146 million passengers by 2025. In September 2014, Dubai approved a $32 billion investment to expand Al Maktoum International Airport, with an aim to handle up to 120 million passengers a year by 2022.