Dubai International Airport sees passenger volume increase by 17%

Date: 26/2/2010

Travellers to Dubai International Airport have increased by 17 per cent since January 2009, the airport management has announced.

A total of 3.86 million passengers travelled through the airport last month, in the eighth consecutive month that has seen year-on-year growth.

Dubai Airport's cargo handling also increased by 31.5 per cent since last year, up from 130,375 tonnes of freight last January to 171,453 tonnes last month.

The airport's chief executive Paul Griffiths said: "Dubai is on the leading edge of a rebound in global air traffic.

"Dubai International has been registering robust growth since the second quarter of 2009 when the industry's key hubs were still recording negative growth."

He said recent figures from the Airports Council International suggest the gradual return of passenger and cargo volumes as the global economy recovers.

Dubai International's third terminal is due to open at the end of 2012, meaning annual passenger numbers could increase from 60 million to 75 million.

Concourse Three has been designed specifically for the use of Emirates airline.