Aviation continues to thrive in Dubai

Dubai: Despite the downturn, Dubai International Airport continued record double-digit year-on-year increases for both passenger and freight traffic during November, according to traffic data released by IATA.

Passenger traffic rose 12.6 per cent in November, marking the sixth consecutive month of double-digit growth.

The airport handled a total of 3,520,287 passengers in November 2009 compared to 3,125,351 passengers during the same month last year, raising the year to date passenger throughput to 37,085,392 – up 8.5 per cent over the first 11 months of 2008. Market segments seeing the highest traffic increases included North America, Australasia and Asia.

Cargo continued its turnaround with the second consecutive month of double-digit increases with volumes surging 19.6% during November. Dubai Airports Cargo handled 191,897 tonnes of freight in November compared to 160,488 tonnes during the same month last year. Year to date cargo volumes reached 1.74 million tonnes compared to 1.68 million tonnes during the same period in 2008, up 3.9 per cent.

“Aviation is one of Dubai’s many success stories. Dubai is home to one of the world’s fastest growing airports and one of its fastest growing airlines in Emirates. The continued exceptional expansion in passenger and cargo traffic sends a strong positive signal about the health of this sector and the local economy,” said Shaikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group.