Dubai International "World's Fastest Growing" Airport
It has emerged that Dubai International Airport was the world's fastest growing airport in 2007.
According to figures released on 10th January 2008 the airport recorded an increase of 19% in the number of passengers compared to 2006, with over 34 million passengers being handled last year. In 2006 the airport handled 28.78 million.
The increase in passenger numbers marks the sixth consecutive year of growth for the airport, and means the airport is likely to rise up the Airport Council International (ACI)'s index of the world's busiest airports when the index is released later this year.
In line with the increase in the number of passengers, aircraft movements increased by nearly 10% to 260,530, with an average of 725 arrivals and departures per day.
Commenting on the traffic figures, Sheikh Ahmned bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman of Dubai Airports - the company which operates Dubai International, and which is constructing the massive Al-Maktoum International Airport - said: "Dubai International's growth is a reflection of Dubai's robust economy, and its rising popularity as an international commercial and tourism hub."
Middle East Air Travel
Mohammed Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said the main reason for Dubai International's growth rate was the expansion in air travel in the Middle East.
He explained that a number of airlines, such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, have significantly expanded their operations in recent years, while new airlines have also entered the market.
Ahli said: "We have had new airlines joining us periodically, and our destination network has also expanded rapidly...in 2007 the list of airlines serving Dubai rose to 120."
Dubai Set for More Expansion in 2008
Reflecting the significant investment taking place in airports all across the Middle East and Asia, Dubai International is set to expand later this year with the opening of a new third terminal.
Paul Griffiths, the chief executive officer of Dubai Airports, said the additional terminal would allow the airport to record even more extensive growth rates during the course of 2008.
He said that the airport expects to handle 40 million passengers this year as a result of the new terminal.
Source - Airport International's Middle East Correspondent
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