Passenger numbers expected to surpass 1 million in 2017
Dubai, UAE – April 26, 2017 – Passenger traffic at Dubai World Central (DWC), Dubai’s second international hub, grew an impressive 29.5 per cent during the first quarter of 2017 with 333,780 passengers passing through the facility compared to 257,813 in the same period in 2016 according to Dubai Airports, which also released its 2017 forecast for DWC passenger numbers.
“DWC is starting to make its mark as an emerging regional hub. We expect to surpass the 1 million passenger mark for the first time this year with 1.1 million expected to use the airport in 2017,” said Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths.
The top five destinations served by DWC, in terms of total passenger numbers, during the first three months of the year were Doha, Moscow, Kathmandu, Amman and Budapest. Aircraft movements at DWC (passenger, cargo, general aviation and helicopters) totalled 9,811, down 8.9 per cent over the 10,774 recorded during the first quarter of 2016.
Air freight volumes at DWC increased 6.5 per cent during the first three months of the year with 211,144 tonnes being handled compared to 198,295 during the same period last year. After first opening for cargo in June 2010, DWC is already ranked as the 20th busiest airport globally for international air freight volumes.
DWC is currently served by 18 passenger carriers, operating an average of 103 flights weekly to 24 international destinations and is home to 42 scheduled cargo operators that fly to as many as 108 destinations around the world.
“The expansion of the existing passenger terminal building is well underway and will boost capacity at DWC to 26 million passengers by next year,” added Griffiths. “DWC remains an important element of our strategy to provide timely capacity to accommodate passenger and cargo traffic growth. DWC offers airlines easy availability of slots, quick turn-around times and access to new catchment area while passengers benefit from short walking distances and quit transit times though the airport.”
- Dubai Airports manages the operation and development of both of Dubai’s airports – DXB and DWC.
- As integrator, Dubai Airports works to balance the interests of all stakeholders to maintain aviation growth, protect operational resilience and ensure that service providers collaborate to provide a safe and secure service and improve the experience of our customers whilst maintaining a sustainable business.
- DXB is the world’s number one airport in terms of international passenger traffic and number three globally in terms of total passenger traffic as reported by Airports Council International.
- DXB ranks third globally for international cargo traffic.
- DWC ranks 20th globally for international cargo traffic.