A total of 16 million passengers passed through the Dubai International Airport in 2002, registering an 18 percent growth over 13.5 million in 2001. Cargo movement registered a 24 percent growth with total freight movement reaching 784,996 tons in 2002 as compared to 632,231 tons in 2001.
Aircraft movement also showed growth of 11 percent with 148,334 movements as compared to 134,165 movements in 2001. This is a notable fact since worldwide aircraft movement has registered negative growth due to the fact that more carriers are opting for wide-bodied aircraft.
“Passenger movement, cargo movement, duty free sales have all surpassed the projections for the year and we are hoping to maintain this trend for the year 2003. According to our projection we should handle 17 million passengers in 2003,” stated President of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.
Dubai Duty Free announced record annual sales of $306 million, representing a 23 percent increase over 2001. Year-end figures also revealed a new monthly sales record of $30 million which was achieved in December 2002 and surpasses the previous monthly record of $28.5 million which was set last October.
Executive Flight Services (EFS) handled a total of 2,422 movements, which is an increase of 31 percent over 2001. In December alone, EFS witnessed a growth of nearly 105 percent. Dubai International Hotel in the Sheikh Rashid Terminal saw a room occupancy rate of 106 percent this past year. Highest occupancy was 133 percenmt during the month of January 2002.
Currently, the number of airlines operating out of Dubai International Airport stands at 104, serving 140 destinations. Peak passenger movement was in August with 1.5 million passengers though the highest growth in a single month was in December with a 33.5 percent growth over 2001.
Average passenger movement per day registered at 43,763. Arriving passengers registered a 21 percent growth while departing passengers registered a 19 percent growth in 2002. Transit passengers, however, registered a decline of three percent, which goes on to show that Dubai is now more a destination than a mere transit stop. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
