UAE airports register 15% jump in air traffic during COP28

Image courtesy: WAM

UAE airports registered a 15 per cent increase in air traffic during the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), according to the General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

Dubai World Central (DWC), also known as Al Maktoum International Airport recorded the highest number of scheduled and unscheduled flights, such as private jets and business jets, on the first day of the COP28 summit, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA said in a statement to state news agency, Emirates News Agency.

The first day of the climate change summit, November 30, 2023, witnessed the highest daily air traffic rate in the history of civil aviation in the UAE, with 2,848 flights.

Al Suwaidi said that the GCAA started preparing to host this significant international event early in coordination with all its partners.

The authority, together with its partners, organised meetings and daily communication sessions to discuss plans, improve air navigation management systems to handle the expected increase and conduct simulation exercises.

This was especially crucial as the conference coincided with the peak tourism season during this time of the year, said Al Suwaidi.

Surge in UAE air traffic

Meanwhile, Dubai Airports raised its passenger forecast for this holiday season and expects the city’s main airport to welcome 4.4 million travellers between December 15 and 31, with an average daily traffic of 258,000.

Dubai International (DXB) is preparing for an exceptional spike in guest numbers, with an estimated 279,000 passengers on December 22, the busiest day for the airport.

Over the years, Dubai has cemented its position as a popular destination during the winter and DXB is expecting a surge in arrivals during the last two weekends of the year, with half a million passengers set to arrive over six days December 22 to 24 as well as December 29 to 31.

DXB is hosting a series of activities across Terminals 1, 2 and 3, including a 3D photo opportunity in a giant snow globe, visits from a range of festive performers who will be handing out gifts, and the chance for little travellers to meet Santa.

Read: Dubai airport to serve 4.4 million passengers this festive season