Passenger traffic at Dubai International is all set to surpass the projected target of 56.5 million for 2012, as the world’s fourth busiest hub for international passengers racked up another month of double digit growth this November with an eye on 66 million passengers next year, according to a report.

With monthly traffic in November reaching 4.87 million, up 10 per cent over 4.43 million in the corresponding month in 2011, the airport continued to enjoy double-digit growth in passenger numbers in all but two months of the year so far, the Dubai Airports said in its monthly traffic report.

Dubai Airports, which owns and manages the operation of both Dubai International as well as Dubai World Central, revealed that traffic is forecast to reach 66 million in 2013.

The year to date traffic in November totalled 52.3 million compared to 46.2 million during the same period last year, thus registering an increase of 13.1 per cent, it stated.

Western Europe recorded the largest increase in total passenger numbers in November (with more than 153,089 passengers), followed by the Indian subcontinent (over 94,876), Asia (over 48,237), and Africa (over 42,683).

However, the report pointed out that the contraction in traffic on Middle Eastern routes continued (-53,444) owing to the impact of the ongoing situation in certain parts of the region.

The strongest markets in terms of percentage passenger growth were South America (over 98.9 per cent) driven by new Emirates airline’s operations to destinations there, followed by Russia and CIS (over 22.6 per cent), Australasia (21 per cent ) and North America (over 20 per cent) as a result of increase in demand on US routes launched during the year.

The aircraft movements in November increased by 2.3 per cent to 29,749 from 29,093 recorded during the same month in 2011. The year to date movements totalled 313,300, up 5.6 per cent from 296,799 movements between January and November 2011.

Dubai International handled 200,060 tonnes of cargo in November, an increase of 4.4 per cent compared to 191,658 tonnes recorded during the same month in 2011. The year to date freight volumes reached 2,077,676 tonnes compared to 2,004,671 tonnes handled during the corresponding period last year, an increase of 3.6 per cent.

Commenting on the growth, Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports said, “We are very glad with the traffic growth this year and are all set to surpass our target of 56.5 million passengers by a margin, taking us closer to operating Dubai International at full capacity."

"It is no coincidence that Concourse A, the A380 facility that underwent operational readiness trial recently, will open in early 2013 providing much needed capacity," he added.

Concourse A is part of the Terminal 3 complex which will increase Dubai International’s annual passenger capacity from 60 million to 75 million when it opens next year.-TradeArabia News Service