Passenger traffic at Dubai’s Al-Maktoum International grew 35.3 per cent in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period last year, Dubai Airports said in a statement.

The airport processed 554,993 passengers between January and June compared to 410,278 passengers during the first six months last year.

Aircraft movements, however, decreased by 11 per cent to reach 20,656, while the average passenger per flight movement increased by 34.4 per cent to reach 121.

Freight volumes increased by 2.3 per cent to 430,132 tonnes.

The expansion work at the airport which aims to take annual passenger capacity from 5 million to 26 million is expected to be completed before the end of 2017.

According to Dubai Airports, Al-Maktoum International is currently served by eight passenger carriers, including low-cost carrier Flydubai. The carriers operate an average of 95 flights weekly to 14 international destinations. Some 26 scheduled cargo firms that fly to roughly 70 destinations operate at the airport.