Dubai International Airport Busier than Ever

Photo courtesy of Elmar

The world may be being built in Dubai but it also seems that the world is coming to Dubai. Latest figures show that Dubai International was the fastest growing airport in the world last year.

With growth of nearly 20%, up from 34.34 million passengers in 2007, this figure sits well in excess of the anticipated 33 million. The President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, was keen to point out that the growth in arrivals figures was “a reflection of Dubai’s booming economy, and its rising popularity as an international commercial and tourism hub.” He added that the number of passengers passing through the airport this year is expected to reach 40 million. With record breaking marketing stunts, Dubai Airport is putting its rising passenger numbers to good use.

While holidaymakers make up a large proportion of the figures, the high level of arrivals is also testament to the fact that many people are relocating to the emirate. The population of Dubai is expected to top 2 million in the next few months, having risen from 1 million in 2001, with investors keen to take advantage of seemingly limitless possibilities for profit in the emirate. However, there is a potential downside to all the popularity: the Dubai Police Chief, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, has voiced personal concerns over the potential effects of low-cost carriers serving the region. A major concern surrounds the importance of keeping the emirate’s reputation of being an upmarket destination intact: it is thought that budget air passengers will not “bring any advantages to the country”.