The three terminals handled a total of 3,361,413 passengers in June 2009 up from 3,048,220 in the same period last year. Following on 2.1% growth during the first quarter, passenger traffic at Dubai International rose by 6.4% in April, and 7.1% in May. During the first six months of 2009 Dubai International handled 19,453,775 passengers, up 5% over the same period in 2008.

A total of 152,278 tonnes of cargo was recorded in June as compared to 155,919 tonnes in June last year – a year-on-year decrease of 2.3%. In the first half of 2009, the airport moved 874,828 tonnes of cargo, a year-on-year fall of 0.76% which compares favourably with the global decline of 22% in international freight.

“Passenger traffic is on the rise and cargo is holding its own in a very tough economic environment,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. “Growth is being driven by strong demand during the peak summer period, the growing strength and attractiveness of the Dubai hub, underpinned by the continued expansion of Emirates, and an influx of new airlines at a rate of one per month.”

Griffiths said that the outlook remains strong for the balance of the summer period through to the end of September and beyond.
 
“The fact that Dubai International is recording double-digit passenger growth during the deepest global recession in decades bodes well for the future. When the current economic situation improves, Dubai will be in good shape, ready to lead the global recovery in air travel” said Griffiths.