UAE airports report increase in passenger throughput

30 October 2012

Cargo volumes also rise at Abu Dhabi and Dubai International airports

Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai International airports have reported an increase in passenger traffic in September.

Passenger numbers at Dubai International airport rose by 12.8 per cent in September compared to the same period last year, according the airport operator Dubai Airports.

Similarly, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) reports that passenger traffic at the emirate’s international airport increased by 14.5 per cent in September compared to the same month in 2011.

A total of 4.8 million passengers passed through Dubai’s airport compared to 4.2 million recorded in the same month in 2011. This increase in traffic ensured passenger growth for the first nine months of the year rose by 13.4 per cent. A total of 42.6 million passengers passed through the airport compared to 37.5 million recorded in 2011.

Passengers from Western Europe accounted for the largest increase in Dubai’s total numbers for September, followed by the Indian subcontinent, the GCC region and Africa.

Passenger volumes on intra-Middle East flights reduced again, due to the ongoing political unrest in certain regions.

The strongest markets for Dubai’s airport in terms of percentage passenger growth included South America, which saw 106 per cent growth, fuelled by the Dubai-based airline Emirates opening up new routes to and from the region. Russia and CIS, Australasia and North America were also highlighted as high growth markets.

Although Abu Dhabi’s international airport continues to attract less passenger traffic than its Dubai neighbour, passenger throughput is growing at a faster rate.  

ADAC reported a total of 1.24 million passengers passing through the airport in September, compared to 1.08 million passengers the previous year. Passenger volumes at Abu Dhabi’s airport rose to 10.93 million year-to-date. This marks an increase of 20.7 per cent compared to the same time period last year.

Both airports have reported increases in cargo volumes in September. Cargo throughput at Dubai International rose by 9.1 per cent compared to the same month last year. The airport handled 193,261 tonnes of cargo, marking the highest monthly increase since October 2010. In August cargo volumes rose by just 4.4% compared to the previous year.

Abu Dhabi airport recorded an increase of 24.9 per cent this month compared to the same month last year, registering a total of 48,525 tonnes.

A MEED Subscription...

Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.