Dubai is world's fastest-growing airport

Dubai is world's fastest-growing airport
Staff Report GULF NEWS Published: January 10, 2008, 00:55

Dubai: Dubai International (DI), the largest aviation hub of the Middle East, was the world's fastest growing airport in 2007 in terms of international passenger throughput with a growth of 19.31 per cent.

The airport handled a total of 34.34 million passengers, well over the projected 33 million for the year, compared to 28.78 million in 2006.

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and chairman of Dubai Airports, said passenger throughput at Dubai International is expected to reach 40 million in 2008.

The high growth rate means that for the sixth consecutive year, Dubai International maintained an average growth rate of over 15 per cent.

In 2007, August was the busiest month for the airport in terms of passenger figures with 3.28 million passengers, while October recorded the highest growth rate at 29.92 per cent.

For the first time, monthly passenger throughput crossed the three million mark thrice during the year, while it was above 2.5 million for each of the remaining nine months. The average passenger movement per day at is 95,000.

The overall growth in 2007 resulted in increased aircraft movement, registering an increase of 9.81 per cent. The airport handled 260,530 movements in 2007 as against 237,258 in 2006.

Shaikh Ahmad said, "Dubai International's growth is a reflection of Dubai's robust economy, and its rising popularity as an international commercial and tourism hub. It is also a clear sign of our intent and vision for the future of the aviation sector in Dubai."