Dubai Airports reports continued growth in November 2017

Passenger traffic at DXB reached 6,953,596 in November compared to 6,581,805 recorded in the corresponding month in 2016, an increase of 5.6%. Year to date, passenger numbers at DXB have risen 5.8% to 80,387,442 compared to 75,947,899 recorded during the same time frame in 2016.

Once again, the most significant contribution to passenger numbers came from the Indian Subcontinent and Western Europe. The two regions were up 7.5% and 8% respectively, and more than 1.5 million passengers travelled through DXB from each region in the month of November. These figures were reflected in the top cities, where London (310,551) and Mumbai (217,279) were the highest.

For the first time in four months, Saudi Arabia (534,906) climbed to the second spot in terms of passenger numbers by country, moving in front of the UK (507,796). India (999,625) remained the top destination country for Dubai International.

November’s flight movement figures at DXB totalled 33,421 down 3.7% on 2016, however the average number of passengers per flight during the month remained high at 215, up 7.3% year on year.

Freight volumes handled at DXB during November increased by 0.4% in a year-on-year comparison, with tonnage totalling 235,651 compared to 234,743 for the same month in 2016. The year to date cargo volume reached 2,425,475, up 2.7% from 2,362,332 recorded during the first 11 months of 2016.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, “Over the past year, Dubai International has witnessed consistent growth in terms of passenger traffic. Given the high passenger traffic volumes we welcomed in December we anticipate ending the year on a positive note.”

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Dubai International's robust passenger growth has pushed the airport ever closer to breaking yet another record. 

“While aircraft movements were down 3.7%, passenger count per airplane has continued to increase - in large part due to the fuller cabins at dominant hub users like Emirates with their A380s and 777-300ER fleets as well as Flydubai with its 737-800s.”

Ahmad added: “This speaks to the increased efficiency at the airport to allow more passengers to be handled.

“Dubai International's status as the busiest international airport looks assured to be cemented for 2017, capping off a phenomenal year given the regional angst that still echoes in the backdrop, as well as losing traffic from Qatar due to the blockade that commenced several months ago.”