DXB sets new record with 7.2m passengers in August

Dubai International Airport has registered the highest monthly traffic in its 55-year history with 7.2 million passengers in August.

According to the latest traffic report issued by operator, Dubai Airports, yesterday, traffic at the world's number one hub for international passengers reached 7,282,256, up 9.5 percent from 6,648,058 recorded during the same month in 2014. The year to date traffic totalled 52,264,223, up 12.4 percent compared to 46,479,919 recorded during the first eight months last year.

The bumper traffic was boosted by the seasonal rush of travellers, including inbound residents returning for the start of the academic year, as well as increases in flight frequency and launches of new services by Emirates, flydubai and other airlines.

The Indian subcontinent topped the list of regions with highest growth in passenger numbers (+143,970 passengers) followed by Western Europe (+129,950) and the GCC (+111,637).

Eastern Europe was the fastest-expanding market in terms of percentage growth (+67.9 percent), followed by North America (24.8 percent) which benefited from the increase in Emirates' capacity with bigger aircraft to Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco, and the added daily flights to both New York and Seattle, Russia & the CIS (12.9 percent), and the Middle East (11.6 percent), spurred mainly by the launch of services to new destinations and additional capacities on Emirates and flydubai among other carriers.

India remained the top destination country (855,550 passengers) with financial capital Mumbai as the busiest destination, followed by the UK (543,213 passengers) and Saudi Arabia (480,051 passengers). London was the top destination city followed closely by Kuwait and Doha. The passengers per movement figure during the month was 217, which is among the highest for international hubs and a milestone of efficiency for DXB.

Aircraft movements totalled 34,773 during the month under review, compared to 31,214 movements recorded in August 2014, an increase of 11.4 percent. Year to date aircraft movement totalled 268,253, up 18.1 percent compared to 227,110 recorded during the same period in 2014.

Dubai International handled freight volumes totalling 207,427 tonnes in August compared to 196,986 tonnes recorded in August 2014, up by 5.3 percent. Year to date cargo reached 1,645,815 tonnes, up 2.9 percent compared to 1,599,806 recorded during the first eight months last year.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, "We are very pleased with the traffic so far this year, particularly the record-breaking numbers in August. As we mark the 55th anniversary of DXB this week we cannot help but look back at our humble beginnings, and how, thanks to the vision of the leadership, a tiny airport rose rapidly to become the world's number one hub for international passengers. DXB has welcomed over 700 million passengers in its five-and-a-half decade history, clocking an unparalleled average growth rate of over 15 percent. Our mission is to ensure that the success story of Dubai's aviation sector continues over the coming decades."