Dubai: Passenger traffic through Dubai International Airport rose 21.8 per cent to reach a record 3.96 million in March compared to 3.25 million in the same month last year.
Cargo continued its resurgence in March with volumes increasing 21.9 per cent to 194,100 tonnes compared to 159,301 tonnes in March 2009, an airport spokesman said.
During the first quarter, Dubai International passenger traffic grew 20.4 per cent and cargo volumes rose 26.4 per cent.
"Passenger increases in March were due to a worldwide economic recovery, capacity increases by Emirates throughout its network, new routes launched by flydubai along with additional frequencies and routes offered by other airlines operating into Dubai International," Dubai Airports said.
"Although passenger numbers grew 21.8 per cent, total aircraft movements rose 9.6 per cent, indicating that load factors and average aircraft size have increased."
Dubai International is ranked the world's fourth busiest airport in terms of international passengers by Airports Council International (ACI).
It serves more than 130 airlines flying to more than 220 destinations on six continents.
World ranking
It is ranked fourth in the world in terms of international freight traffic.
The biggest traffic increases in March occurred on routes to North America, Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States, and Asia, the latter receiving a boost from the Chinese New Year.
The highest passenger volumes were generated by traffic to and from India, the UK, Iran, Germany and Pakistan.
"The pace of the growth we're seeing is frenetic thanks to capacity increases, gradually improving economic conditions and rising consumer confidence," said Dubai Airports Chief Executive Officer Paul Griffiths.
"Although last week's operational disruptions due to European airspace closures will have an impact on April's traffic results, the strong surge of traffic created as airlines clear the backlog across their networks will go a long way in making up the difference."
The 21.9 per cent increase in freight traffic in March was driven by volume increases at Emirates Skycargo, additional traffic generated by new cargo operators and the ongoing recovery of air cargo worldwide as companies continue to replenish inventories around the globe.
Cargo aircraft movements increased 6.4 per cent, indicating higher freight loads.
Innovation the key
The surge in Middle East passenger numbers has brought with it increased security concerns and a new analysis from Frost and Sullivan finds that the market earned revenues of $34.7 million (Dh127.4 million) in 2008 and is estimated to reach $57.7 million in 2015. "The market is expected to grow between six and eight per cent for the next five to eight years," said Frost and Sullivan Research Associate Mirnalini Kumaran.
Intensifying competition in this field had constricted margins, but this could be offset through value-added services, product differentiation and innovation, the study said.
"Market participants should start providing new technology, equipment and integrated solutions and also adopt efficient supply chain and competitive strategies," said Kumaran. "Technological innovations also have a significant role to play in the adoption rates and advances in biometric identification and surveillance bode well for the market."
