Passenger traffic at Dubai World Central, Dubai’s second international hub, witnessed a strong surge in 2016, climbing 84.5 per cent according to the traffic report issued by operator Dubai Airports today.

DWC welcomed a total of 850,633 passengers in 2016, up 84.5 per cent compared to 461,063 passengers recorded in 2015.

The five runway airport will eventually grow to become the largest international hub in the world under plans put forward by Dubai Airports.

During the fourth quarter, passenger traffic at DWC totalled 248,405 up 39.9 per cent compared to 177,608 passengers recorded during the last three months of 2015.

Passenger traffic growth at DWC is mainly driven by flydubai, one of Dubai’s two flagship carriers which operates on average 41 weekly flights to five destinations from DWC, in addition to its operations at Dubai International’s Terminal 2.

DWC is currently served by 27 passenger carriers, operating an average of 108 flights weekly to 44 international destinations and is home to 64 scheduled cargo operators that fly to as many as 138 destinations around the world.

DWC handled a total of 38,671 aircraft movements in 2016, a contraction of 5.6 per cent compared to 2015 when the airport recorded 40,947 movements.

“After having emerged as one of the top 20 international cargo hubs, DWC is now growing steadily in stature as a passenger hub, and we are pleased with the growth in passenger traffic in 2016.

“Considering the unique proposition DWC offers to airlines in terms of easy availability of slots, quick turn-around times, quick transit times though the airport for passengers and access to new catchment area – not to forget the expansion project underway that will more than quadruple its capacity to 26 million passengers by next year – we expect the growth trend to continue this year, and beyond,” said Paul Griffiths, chief executive, Dubai Airports.