Dubai, Abu Dhabi airports traffic up

Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports on Tuesday released figures for the month of May showing strong growth in both passenger and cargo traffic.

In Dubai, May passenger numbers topped 3.97 million, up 325,000 or 8.8 per cent compared to 3.65 million passengers who passed through the airport during the same month in 2010. The year to date traffic stands at 20.5 million, an increase of 8.6 per cent over the corresponding period in 2010. Aircraft movements for the month totalled 26,969 up 4.6 per cent from 25,790 recorded during the same period last year.

The AGCC recorded the largest increase in total passenger numbers in May up 28.3 per cent (+139,717 passengers), followed by the Indian subcontinent (+72,394 up 8 per cent), Western Europe (+24,561 up 3.4 per cent) and Asia Pacific (+24,461 up 13.3 per cent).

In terms of percentage growth, Eastern Europe again led the way in May rising 381 per cent, albeit from a low base. Russia and CIS benefited from flydubai's ongoing expansion into that region with traffic increasing 20.6 per cent on the back of traffic growth to Moscow, Kiev, Yekaterinburg and Samara. Middle East passenger traffic, still suffering from political instability in the region, fell 5.6 per cent in May. Traffic volumes to North America showed a strong increase of 17.7 per cent due to Emirates' doubling its frequencies to Houston and Los Angeles from once to twice daily.

In terms of cargo volumes Dubai International handled 187,905 tonnes of international air freight in May, down 0.5 per cent from the 188,837 tonnes recorded during the same period in 2010. The year to date freight volume has reached 874,584 tonnes, a contraction of 0.3 per cent compared to 877,375 tonnes for the corresponding period last year.

"Passenger volumes are on course to top 51 million by year end which should put us hot on the trail of Hong Kong International as the world's third busiest airport for international passenger traffic," said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. "By 2015 we expect to overtake London Heathrow for the number one spot when passenger numbers surpass 75 million."

Abu Dhabi airport

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) announced it welcomed over 943,000 passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport during the month of May, recording a robust 14 per cent growth over last year's figures. Cargo traffic was also on the rise reaching 40,240 tonnes, with an increase of four per cent compared to May 2010.
 
Ahmed Al Haddabi, Senior Vice President of Airports Operations at Adac, said: “The continuous increase of Abu Dhabi International Airport's passenger traffic goes in parallel with the increased frequencies, new destinations, and new airlines operating at our airport.

"With the 900 weekly flights scheduled from the capital's airport this summer season, this growth trend is expected to continue. At the same time the refurbished Terminal 1 will further improve the passenger experience at Abu Dhabi International Airport."

During May, the route from Abu Dhabi to Manila experienced the highest growth, with a 17 per cent increase over last year, followed by London, Bangkok, Doha and Jeddah.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.