Dubai airport serves 9.3 million in first quarter

Passenger throughput at Dubai property International Airport - the largest in the Middle East - reached the nine-million benchmark in the first quarter this year, recording a growth of 15.11 per cent over the same period in 2007, a statement voiced.

The airport handled a total of 9 341 270 passengers from January to March this year, as compared to 8 114 762 in the 1st quarter of 2007. March was the busiest month with 3.25 million passengers while February registered the lowest at just over 2.97 million passengers.

With a total of 34.34 million passengers in 2007, the airport had recorded a rise of over 19 per cent over 2006. The passenger throughput is anticipated to gain 40 million this year and reach 60 million by 2010.

The total tonnage of cargo handled during the period under review reached 399,718 tones as against 362,919 tones over the 1st quarter of 2007, a significant increase of over 10 per cent. March was the busiest month for cargo also with over 144,954 tones while February showed a greater year-on-year growth at 12.1 per cent.

There were a total of 68,869 aircraft movements during the period under review, an increase of 8.5 per cent over the first quarter of 2007. With over 24,143 aircraft movements, March was the busiest month, well over January (22,903) and February (21,823).