Despite September 11, a total of 13.5 million passengers passed through the Dubai International Airport, registering a 10 per cent growth over 2000.

The cargo movement also grew by 9 per cent to 632,222.52 tonnes, according to the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

"Despite global events, 2001 has been a good year. We are close on track with passenger and freight movement forecasts," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, DCA president and chairman of Emirates.

"Dubai Duty Free had a record year and airport operations rose across all sectors. We aim to retain this trend in 2002."

Both passenger and cargo movement figures are close to forecasts - 14 million passengers and 650,000 tonnes of freight - which were expected in 2001.

For the first time, aircraft movements saw negative growth. This is attributed to the fact that more airlines are using larger aircraft than before.

Executive flight movements totalled 1,852. Al Majlis, the dedicated facility which provides passengers with personalised check-in, baggage, immigration and custom services, and used mainly by VIPs and private jet owners, witnessed a 24 per cent growth in revenue to Dh2 million against Dh1.4 million in 2000.

Total number of passengers using the facility stood at 6,200, a 9 per cent growth over the 5,652 in 2000.

Airlines operating out of the airport were 96, serving 137 destinations. The number is expected to go up with UPS and Air Mauritius starting flights in January, and Emirates adding five new destinations in 2002.

Delta, Khalifa Airways and Indian Airlines started flights to Dubai during the past year.

Dubai International Hotel at the Sheikh Rashid Terminal also saw a phenomenal room occupancy rate of 106 per cent over the year. Highest occupancy was 135 per cent during December.

"The opening of Sheikh Rashid Terminal marked a new record in passenger movement. The year 2000 had a phenomenal growth of 14.6 per cent and we expect it to continue side by side with the beginning of our expansion phase during the first quarter of 2002," Sheikh Ahmed said.

With the arrival of new airlines and the addition of Emirates new destinations, it is expected that 15 million passengers will use Dubai International Airport.

The Dubai Duty Free aims to reach a target of Dh1 billion.

Experts predict a continuous and big growth in travel demands worldwide. An annual average growth of 4.7 per cent is expected in the Middle East.

With the conclusion of Dubai 2001 Aerospace Exhibition, industry's attention has also quickly turned to a future multi-billion dollar Middle East market where analysts are forecasting more aircraft sales.

The Middle East is an attractive market due to Dubai's role as a major business hub. As an upmarket tourist destination, it attracts a big share in this market, DCA said.