Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport hits 37.4 million in 2008, climbing +9% year-on-year – 26/01/09

Dubai International’s growth in 2008 is a clear sign of the UAE’s sturdy economy and Dubai’s significance.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum
Chairman and CEO
Emirates

UAE. Dubai International Airport posted a +9% increase in passengers in 2008, compared to 2007, handling 37.4 million passengers in the year. The airport’s travel retailer Dubai Duty Free outstripped the rate of passenger growth during the year – as reported, it recorded a +23% surge in sales to US$1.1 billion.

August was the busiest month of 2008 in terms of passenger traffic with 3.36 million passengers, and February recorded the highest growth rate at +18.8% year-on-year. An average of three million passengers a month passed through Dubai International in 2008, with a daily average of 100,000 passengers.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said the growth was impressive, especially considering the global economic downturn, the record high price of oil during 2008 and the impact of these factors on civil aviation and related sectors worldwide.

He also hailed the opening of the new Terminal 3 in October as “flawless”, and praised the efforts of the staff at Dubai Airports, Emirates Airline and Dubai Duty Free, and their cooperation with strategic partners such as the police, customs, and immigration.

He also said the creation of Dubai Airports in October 2007 – and the subsequent streamlining and efficiency of the organisation, played a role in the successful opening of T3.

“It is evident now, in our growth and the world-acknowledged success of Terminal 3’s launch that the restructuring was done right. It was a transformed Dubai Airports that spearhead the opening of Terminal 3 on 14 October,” he said.

Sheikh Ahmed added: “Dubai International’s growth in 2008 is a clear sign of the UAE’s sturdy economy and Dubai’s significance, not only to local and regional growth but to travel, tourism and business globally. The momentum of this growth will have a positive influence on ongoing situations as well as the overall projected growth for Dubai Airports for 2009.”

Dubai Duty Free’s 2008 sales surged by +23%, outstripping the airport’s +9% passenger growth


Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths noted the challenge of opening T3 during the busiest year ever for the airport.

He said: “Anticipating record traffic during the peak season, we launched a “˜summer rush campaign’ to ease the flow of passengers through our terminals. Some 300 volunteers were deployed around the airport, from parking areas all the way to the concourse, to help and guide passengers.

“On-time departures improved by 20% over the previous year, while there were major improvements in the speed and efficiency of connections, plus many other improvements in customer service overall.”

Dubai Airports also opened a dedicated express check-in for travellers without check-in baggage, and launched a drive to reach out to passengers with tips on making a smooth passage through the airport. “The summer rush campaign’s success can be gauged from the fact that between June and September, a record 12 million travellers passed through Dubai International without one incident of congestion or delay,” Griffiths said.

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