SUPPLY CHAIN, 4 February 2016 - Dubai International Airport has retained its position as the world's number one hub, handling just over 78 million passengers in 2015, according to its operator.
Dubai Airports said numbers had been boosted by the growth of around 100 airlines that connect Dubai International to more than 240 global destinations.
Annual passenger traffic surged 10.7% to a record 78,014,838 passengers in 2015.
This compares to 70,473,893 recorded during 2014.
There were 403,517 aircraft movements in 2015 a 14.1% increase over the 353,507 movements recorded in 2014.
New airlines to fly to the airport included Air Canada from Toronto, Eurowings from Cologne and China Southern from Wuhan.
The expansion of Dubai-based airlines flydubai and Emirates meant 12 new passenger destinations were also added.
Dubai Airports said India remained the airport’s single largest destination country in 2015 with 10,391,376 passengers – a 17% increase year on year.
The UK came second with 5,682,307 passengers, a 6% increase, followed closely by Saudi Arabia at 5,466,358.
The most popular destination cities to connect with DBX were Doha, with 2,782,600 passengers, London, with 2,659,602 passengers, and Mumbai with 2,214,221 passengers.
North America was the regional market to grow most significantly in 2015 (25%).
Cargo volumes increased by a relatively small 3.4% year on year.
The airport plans in the first quarter of 2016 to open the new $1.2bn 150,000 square metre Concourse D, which will be used by around 70 airlines.
Earlier this month it called for around 2,500 volunteers to help test the terminal.
Originally published in Supply Management Magazine
