Dubai , UAE – September 28 – Double-digit growth in passenger traffic continued at Dubai International for the third consecutive month with Dubai Airports announcing a 10.7 per cent jump in passenger numbers during August. This follows increases of 10.3 per cent in June and 12.6 per cent in July.

Dubai International handled a total of 3,729,879 passengers in August 2009 as compared to 3,368,260 during the corresponding month last year. The airport’s monthly passenger throughput exceeded the 3.7 million mark for the second time this year, following the record-breaking 3.76 million passengers recorded in July.

Consistent growth during the first eight months of 2009 has seen the year to date passenger traffic reach 26,878,331, as compared to 25,182,526 for the corresponding period in 2008, an increase of 6.7 per cent. This contrasts dramatically with the 7 per cent contraction seen in international passengers worldwide year-to-date as reported by Airports Council International (ACI).

Despite the continuing global downturn in air freight movement, Dubai International is holding on to its position among the world’s top five hubs for international cargo volumes. Dubai Airports Cargo handled a total of 163,427 tonnes of air freight in August 2009 as compared to 158,714 tonnes in August 2008, up 2.9 per cent.

The year to date cargo movement reached 1,198,546 tonnes, up from 1,197,522 tonnes during the same period in 2008, showing a marginal increase of 0.1 per cent. By comparison, ACI reports global volumes for international airfreight are down 20 per cent year to date.

Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports CEO said that Dubai International’s sustained growth supports projections for a record-breaking year for the region’s leading airport.

“The end of the summer also marks the beginning of high-season for tourists which puts Dubai International on track to set a new record of 40.5 million passengers by year end,” said Griffiths.

Dubai Airports recently released a traffic forecast which projects an 8.3 per cent increase in passenger numbers in 2009 and a 13.6 per cent rise in 2010.

“Dubai International is the only airport among the top ten airports in terms international passenger traffic to still record positive growth,” said Griffiths. “Aviation here has defied the global trend and this is testament to the attractiveness of Dubai not just as a transit hub but also as an international destination for both business and tourism. This pays dividends not only to the 125 airlines that operate into Dubai International but to the travel, tourism, logistics and hospitality sectors in the local economy.”

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Editors Notes

·         Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation and development of both of Dubai’s airports – Dubai International as well as the upcoming Dubai World Central — Al Maktoum International.

·         Dubai International is ranked as the world’s 5th busiest airport in terms of international passengers by the Airport Council International (ACI). Dubai International is also the only airport among the top 10 airports on that list to show positive growth.

·         The ACI also ranks Dubai Airports Cargo as the world’s 4th busiest hub for international freight.

·         According to the ACI’s July figures, passenger demand fell slightly in July 2009 with the world airports reporting a 1 percent decrease compared to July 2008. International passenger traffic declined slightly by 3 percent while domestic traffic increased for the first time by 1 percent since June 2008. The first seven months of 2009 showed world passenger traffic decreasing by 6 percent with international traffic declining by 7 percent and domestic traffic dropping by 5.

·         ACI also reports that the total freight handled worldwide in July 2009 dropped by 9 percent compared to July 2008 with international freight falling by 11 percent and domestic by 4 percent. The first seven months of 2009 showed total freight declining by 17 percent with international freight dropping by 20 percent and domestic freight falling by 10 percent.