Dubai: Dubai International is eyeing the number one spot for international passenger traffic in 2014 after finishing second behind London Heathrow last year.
“I think that’s on the cards,” Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports Chief Executive, said by phone on Monday when asked if the airport is set to take the top spot.
According to Airports Council International (ACI), Dubai International has handled 29.4 million international passengers between January 1 and August 26, up 9.1 per cent compared to the same period last year. London Heathrow has handled 26.4 million international passengers, up 2.2 per cent.
Dubai International and London Heathrow have been vying to be the busiest airport for international passenger traffic this year. However, Dubai staggered through May and July when passenger numbers fell due to 80 days of capacity constraining runway maintenance.
Dubai Airports, management and owner of Dubai International, had previously been reluctant to claim the title when it piped ahead of London Heathrow earlier this year.
“Once we capture [first place], I fully intended to keep it and add the number one for service,” Griffiths said.
