Dubai International Airport had yet another successful year in 2006 with the annual passenger throughput reaching 28,788,726 – a growth of 16.17 per cent. The airport had handled some 24.78 million passengers in 2005. Passenger throughput is expected to cross 33 million this year.

The growth rate in passenger throughput registered in 2006 means that for the sixth consecutive year, the airport has continued to grow well over an average of 15 per cent annually. A total of 113 scheduled airlines and 25 frequent charter airlines are operating through Dubai International Airport.

December was the busiest month for the airport in 2006 with 2.731 million passengers passing through, while just over 2.5 million and 2.4 million passengers were recorded in July and September respectively. April and November, however, remained on top in terms of growth rate with a comparative growth of 21.48 and 19.65 per cent respectively over the corresponding months in 2005.

Cargo movement continued its upward trend in 2006 with Dubai Cargo Village registering a growth of 5.85 per cent over 2005. The facility handled a total of 1,410,963 tonnes of cargo in 2006 as compared to 1,333,014 tonnes in 2005. December was the most successful month for the Cargo Village in 2006 with 128,418 tonnes of cargo handled.

For 2006, aircraft movement at Dubai International Airport witnessed a healthy growth of 9.25 per cent over 2005. The airport handled a total of 237,258 flights, as against 217,165 flights in 2005. The busiest period for the airport in terms of aircraft movement was in December with over 21,518 flights.

“Dubai International Airport has been growing at an average of 15 per cent annually since 2000, and we expect the growth rate to pick up pace and climb further up over the coming years,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group.

He said that despite the rate and pace of growth, the airport has improved the quality of its services to passengers, who voted the facility the world’s best in a prominent polls during 2006. “It is the result of the dedication and perseverance of one and all at the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and the staff at the airport. It is a reason for all of us to take pride in,” he commented.

Dubai continues to grow and has positioned itself as the most preferred business and leisure destination in the region, thereby increasing manifold the significance of the role Dubai International Airport will play in the nation’s overall development, Sheikh Ahmed said. The facility is connected to over 194 destinations through a network of 113 international airlines.

Sheikh Ahmed noted that considering the continuous growth in passenger throughout, the ongoing expansion project involving Concourse 2 and 3 and Terminal 3 appear appropriately timed. The expanded facility will be capable of handling a projected 70 million passengers by 2008.

Dubai International Airport Quick Fact Sheet

Total Scheduled Airlines                      -           113

Total Destinations                                 -           194

Average daily Aircraft Movement          -           700

Average daily Passenger Movement      -           80000

Peak Month (passengers)                     -           December

Peak Month (Cargo)                            -           December

Busiest day                                          -           Sunday

Busiest hour                                         -           0100 - 0200 L.T

Busiest period                                      -           2200 to 0300 L.T

Total Parking Bays                              -           110