Dubai International, the world’s second busiest international hub, registered another record year with annual passenger traffic crossing 66.4 million in 2013, following a record-breaking December when passenger numbers topped the 6 million mark for the first time.

Annual passenger traffic of 66,431,533, up 15.2 per cent compared to 57,684,550 recorded during 2012, represents the airport’s highest total ever thanks to network expansion and monthly passenger numbers which exceeded  5 million for 12 consecutive months.

According to the annual traffic report issued by operator Dubai Airports today, passenger numbers in December reached 6,047,126, an increase of 13.6 per cent compared to 5,320,961 recorded during the same month in 2012.

Dubai International continues to benefit from the large number of wide-body jets that operate into it with the average number of passengers per aircraft movement rising to 198 in 2013, up 4.5 percent from the 189 recorded in 2012.

Aircraft movements in 2013 reached 369,953, up 7.5 per cent compared to 344,245 in  2012. Aircraft movements in December totalled 32,832, compared to 30,945 in the same month in 2012, an increase of 6.1 per cent.

During the year a total of 28 new passenger destinations were added thanks largely to the expanding networks of Dubai-based  flydubai and Emirates, bringing the total passenger destinations served by Dubai International to 239.

India retained its position as Dubai’s single largest destination country with 8,401,253 passengers, a year on year growth of 14.3  per cent compared to 7,347,270 in 2012. The UK placed second with 5,099,843 passengers (+19 per cent)  followed by Saudi Arabia at 4,825,114 (+34.2 per cent).

In terms of destination cities served by Dubai International, Doha retained the top spot with 2,516,866 passengers (+12.9 per cent) followed closely by London with 2,494,555 passengers  (+24.1 per cent) and Kuwait with 1,813,603 passengers (+13.3 per cent).

Eastern Europe was the fastest expanding regional market in terms of percentage growth in 2013 (+57.4  per cent) due to network expansion by flydubai and Emirates, followed by Australasia (+33.4  per cent) thanks to additional services and traffic resulting from the Emirates partnership with Qantas while Asia Pacific placed third (+25.1 per cent).  

Cargo volumes also reached record levels in 2013 with 2,435,567 tonnes of air freight passing through Dubai International during 2013, up 6.8 per cent compared to 2,279,624 tonnes recorded during 2012. Monthly freight volumes in December totaled 218,138, up 8 per cent compared to 201,949 recorded during the same month in 2012.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “It was truly a historic year for Dubai’s aviation sector highlighted by the successful opening of Concourse A, the world’s largest and only facility purpose built for the Airbus A380; the launch of passenger services at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central; and a record breaking airshow that featured aircraft orders exceeding $ 200 billion – the bulk of which was placed by Dubai’s flag carriers. 2014 is set to be another eventful year, one featuring continued traffic growth, network expansion and the ongoing enlargement and upgrade of our facilities and runways.”

Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation of both of Dubai’s airports – Dubai International and Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central.  - TradeArabia News Service