Dubai Airport passengers rise 10% in May

Passenger numbers at Dubai International Airport increased 10.4 percent year on year in May, its operator said on Monday.

Dubai Airports said passenger traffic at the world's fourth busiest hub, reached 4,388,614 in May compared to 3,976,633 passengers in the same month in 2011.

In the first five months of the year, traffic reached 23.2 million, an increase of 13.2 percent over the 20.5 million using the airport during the corresponding period in 2011.

The GCC recorded the largest increase in total passenger numbers in May (up 105,052 passengers), followed by Africa (up 61,306), Western Europe (up 57,602) and the Indian subcontinent (up 55,330).

In terms of percentage growth, traffic on South American routes surged 114.2 percent, albeit from a low base, Dubai Airports added.

Russia and CIS benefited from flydubai's ongoing expansion into that region with traffic increasing 43.7 percent.

Middle East passenger traffic continued to be affected by the instability in the region with a contraction of 2.5 percent in May, the airport operator said.

Aircraft movements for the month totalled 28,304, an increase of five percent compared to the 26,969 movements recorded during the same period last year.

In terms of cargo volumes, Dubai International handled 187,638 tonnes of air freight in May, a contraction of 0.1 percent compared to 187,905 tonnes recorded during the same month in 2011.

Year to date freight volume has reached 891,464 tonnes, up 1.4 percent over 879,359 tonnes for the corresponding period last year.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: "Dubai International has had a strong showing in terms of passenger traffic so far this year with double-digit growth recorded in four of the first five months.

"With forecast suggesting the growth trend to continue during the second half of the year, we are well on track to achieve the projected traffic of 56.5 million by the end of 2012."