Dubai International (DXB) achieved a passenger traffic growth of 8.9% in November compared to the same period last year and the airport is on track to surpass the 50 million-mark in annual traffic this year, Dubai Airports announced this week.

Passenger traffic in November reached 4,431,673, compared to 4,070,296 recorded during the same month in 2010. The year to date traffic (Jan-Nov) reached 46,287,234, up 7.8% over the corresponding period in 2010, it said.

The GCC recorded the largest increase in total passenger numbers in November (+134,491 passengers), followed by the Indian subcontinent (+77,375), Russia and the CIS (+69,786 passengers), and Western Europe (+48,830 passengers). The contraction in traffic on Middle Eastern routes continued in November (-17,538 passengers).

During the month, aircraft movements totaled 29,093 up 8.5% from 26,823 recorded during the same month in 2010. The year to date (Jan-Nov) flight movements increased by 6% to 296,799, compared to 279,888 during the same period in 2010.

Freight growth during the month was flat with cargo volumes almost at par with the corresponding period last year. Dubai International handled 191,658 tonnes of freight in November, a marginal decrease of 0.4% compared to 192,405 tonnes recorded during the same period in 2010. The year to date freight movement reached 1,999,898 tonnes, compared to the 2,033,828 tonnes handled during the corresponding period last year, a drop of 1.7%, it said.

Describing DXB’s performance throughout the year as satisfactory, Jamal Al Hai, Executive Senior Vice President, International Affairs and Communications, Dubai Airports, said: “Considering that we have had an average monthly traffic of 4.2 million passengers in the first 11 months of 2011, we are well on track to surpass the historical figure of 50 million in annual traffic this year.

"Dubai International is already among the top 5 busiest hubs for international passengers and this milestone, while further affirming the soundness of Dubai’s aviation model, will demand from us greater focus on managing growth and delivering on our customer service commitments in the New Year,” he added.