UAE/INTERNATIONAL. Dubai International Airport posted a +13.9% surge in passenger traffic year-on-year in April despite the impact of the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano, which affected air traffic worldwide in the month. Passenger numbers hit 3.28 million.
Year to date passenger traffic increased +18.7% to 15.2 million.
 |
“To record double-digit growth during a month where over 500 flights were cancelled is impressive“ |
Paul Griffiths CEO Dubai Airports |
“To record double-digit growth during a month in which over 500 flights were cancelled is impressive,” said Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths. “It’s testament to the great job airlines did to clear the backlog after the skies opened up. And it’s a clear indication that our confidence in the continued growth at Dubai International is well placed.”
The volcanic ash cloud and resulting airspace closures in Europe that occurred from April 15 to 21 caused over 100,000 flight cancellations worldwide and prevented 10 million passengers from flying, according to a report issued by IATA.
Dubai Airports said: “At Dubai International timely communication and airline re-routing minimised the impact to just over 500 flight cancellations – stranding some 6,000 passengers, the large majority of whom were comfortably accommodated in hotels around the city. Following the disruptions 46 additional flights were operated to transport stranded passengers and cargo to their final destinations and effectively clear the backlog in the shortest possible time.”
The disruptions led to some variations in traffic flows. Strong growth was seen in all regions with the exception of Western Europe where passenger numbers grew by just +1% during April versus the monthly double-digit growth that had been recorded during the six previous months. Similarly, London was ousted by Doha, albeit temporarily, from its position as the top destination in terms of traffic as passenger numbers between Dubai and the UK capital plummeted by -20% due to flight cancellations.
“So far we are outpacing our projections for +13.6% growth during 2010,” said Griffiths. “And with the addition of a number of new destinations and services in the months ahead we are cementing our status as a leading international hub.”
Advertisement |
