Dubai, UAE, 2016-Jun-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Dubai International (DXB), the world’s number one international airport, welcomed more than 6.9 million passengers in April according to the monthly traffic report issued by operator Dubai Airports today.
Passenger numbers reached 6,978,268 in April, up 7.2 per cent from the 6,510,653 guests who visited the airport in April 2015. During the first four months of 2016, DXB welcomed 27,926,958 passengers, compared to 26,116,977 passengers during the same period last year, an increase of 6.9 per cent.
In terms of percentage growth, Eastern Europe topped the list during April with routes to the region growing 12.6 per cent, followed by Asia with 12.1 per cent and the GCC with 10.3 per cent. The Indian subcontinent outperformed all regions in terms of growth in passenger numbers with 1,644,045 passengers, followed by the Western Europe with 1,533,558, and the GCC with 1,252,282 passengers.
Total aircraft movements reached 34,733 in April 2016 up 4.3 per cent compared to 33,279 during the corresponding month in 2015. In the first four months of the year, total aircraft movements rose 5.4 per cent to 139,079 compared to 132.005 movements during the same period in 2015.
The average number of passengers per movement was 210 during April.
Dubai International recorded freight volumes totalling 213,790 in April compared to 204,075 in the same month last year, an increase of 4.8 per cent. Year to date cargo totalled 828,934 tonnes, up 3.8 per cent compared to 798,770 tonnes handled during the first four months in 2015.
“We are very pleased with the growth so far this year and with the summer travel peak round the corner the numbers are only going to increase,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
“As is the case every summer peak, Dubai International is expected to welcome a record number of passengers. We are actively working with our partners devising a robust operational plan which will involve the deployment of additional staff. We will also be launching a public awareness campaign to encourage passengers to follow our travel tips and show up early to the airport to enjoy all that we have on offer before boarding their flights,” he added.
Accordingly, Dubai Airports is releasing its summer travel tips to support passenger convenience during the busy summer travel period.
Smart Travel Tips
• Be sure to check which airport and terminal you are departing from/arriving into beforehand. Passengers can confirm with their airline or check www.dubaiairports.ae
• Arrive early at the airport. It is best to leave a minimum of three hours for check-in and passport control. Take into consideration daily rush hours and available routes in calculating your commuting time to the airport.
• Leave extra time for your journey to the airport as the roads will be very busy. Please say your goodbyes at home.
• Check with the airline in advance for information on your baggage allowance. Irrespective of the allowance, a single unit of baggage weighing more than 32kgs will not be accepted at check-in. You should expect to be charged for baggage in excess of the limit set by your respective airline.
• It is always simpler to pack liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in your check-in baggage. However, if you have to carry LAGs in your hand luggage, make sure they are in a clear re-sealable plastic bag. Each item should not be more than 100ml and the total content of all items should not be more than one litre.
• Beat the queues by checking-in online or using the self-service check-in kiosks in the departures hall. Customers with baggage can make use of the quick-baggage drop counters, while those carrying only hand luggage can proceed directly to Immigration.
• Remember to put anything metal – watch, jewellery, mobile phone, coins, belt – into your hand luggage well before you arrive at the X-ray machine. This will save time at security screening.
• Using the e-Gate card helps avoid queuing at passport control, both while arriving and on departure. An eGate Card can be obtained from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs (immigration) for a fee. GDRFA have eGate counters in the departure areas of all terminals.
Corporate Communications
Lorne Riley, Head of Corporate Communications
Email: Lorne.Riley@dubaiairports.ae
Zaigham Ali, Manager Media Relations (English)
Email: Zaigham.Mirza@dubaiairports.ae
Ghassan Amhaz, Manager Media Relations (Arabic)
Email: Ghassan.Amhaz@dubaiairports.ae
###