Dubai Airports has registered a record passenger traffic growth in May which surged to over 3.97 million, up 325,000 (8.8 per cent) compared to 3.65 million passengers during the same month last year.

According to figures released on Tuesday by the Dubai Airports, the May passenger traffic figures showed a 8.8 per cent year on year growth. 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, it added.

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

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,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service