Dubai International, the world’s second busiest international hub, registered another record year with annual passenger traffic crossing 66.4 million in 2013, following a record-breaking December when passenger numbers topped the 6 million mark for the first time.

Annual passenger traffic of 66,431,533 (up 15.2% compared to 57,684,550 recorded during 2012) represents the airport’s highest total ever thanks to network expansion and monthly passenger numbers which exceeded 5 million for 12 consecutive months.

Dubai International continues to benefit from the large number of wide-body jets that operate into it with the average number of passengers per aircraft movement rising to 198 in 2013, up 4.5% from the 189 recorded in 2012.

Aircraft movements in 2013 reached 369,953, up 7.5% compared to 344,245 in 2012. Aircraft movements in December totaled 32,832, compared to 30,945 in the same month in 2012, an increase of 6.1%.

During the year a total of 28 new passenger destinations were added thanks largely to the expanding networks of Dubai-based  flydubai and Emirates, bringing the total passenger destinations served by Dubai International to 239.

India retained its position as Dubai’s single largest destination country with 8,401,253 passengers, a year on year growth of 14.3%. The UK placed second with 5,099,843 passengers (+19%) followed by Saudi Arabia at 4,825,114 (+34.2%).

In terms of destination cities served by Dubai International, Doha retained the top spot with 2,516,866 passengers (+12.9%) followed closely by London with 2,494,555 passengers (+24.1%) and Kuwait with 1,813,603 passengers (+13.3%).

Eastern Europe was the fastest expanding regional market in terms of percentage growth in 2013 (+57.4%) due to network expansion by flydubai and Emirates, followed by Australasia (+33.4%) thanks to additional services and traffic resulting from the Emirates partnership with Qantas while Asia Pacific placed third (+25.1%).

Cargo volumes also reached record levels in 2013 with 2,435,567 tonnes of air freight passing through Dubai International during 2013.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “It was truly a historic year for Dubai’s aviation sector highlighted by the opening of Concourse A, the world’s largest and only facility purpose built for the Airbus A380; the launch of passenger services at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central; and a record breaking airshow with aircraft orders exceeding $ 200 billion – the bulk of which was placed by Dubai’s flag carriers. 2014 is set to be another eventful year with continued traffic growth, network expansion and the ongoing upgrade of our facilities and runways.”