Dubai International Records 18.9% Growth In May

Dubai International handled 5,218,832 passengers in May, an 18.9 per cent year-on-year increase.

It is the sixth consecutive month the airport’s passenger numbers have exceeded five million, with year-to-date traffic up 16.8 per cent to 27,124,195.

The expansion of Emirates and flydubai once again fuelled the growth – and Western Europe, GCC and the Indian subcontinent accounted for the largest increases.

Following the launch of flights by Qantas in May, Australia was the fastest growing destination with 50 per cent growth and Saudi Arabia a close second (40 per cent) as a result of the post-liberalisation boom in the Kingdom’s aviation sector.

Dubai International recorded a total of 31,121 aircraft movements, up 10 per cent, while average passengers per aircraft movement totalled 186, up 4.9 per cent. Freight volumes grew 11.9 per cent to 209,985 tonnes.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said it has made changes as it anticipates a busy period with the annual summer travel season coinciding with Ramadan.

All buses will be rerouted to the car-park check-in to free up the forecourt at Terminal 3, while seating at Concourse B has been increased by 30 per cent.

More Smart eGates have been installed at Terminal 3 and automatic tray return machines introduced at security check areas.