Dubai International 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.

“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, chief executive, 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.”