Emerging markets boost Dubai int'l passenger traffic in October

Dubai International Airport, known as DXB, welcomed 6.4 million passengers in October, said the Dubai Airports Corporations on Thursday.

The figure brings the civil aviation hub closer to hosting 83 million passengers in 2016, reported the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) state news agency, WAM.

DXB passenger traffic reached 6,420,208 passengers last month, over 6,250,810 in the corresponding month last year, a 2.7 percent increase.

Once more, Eastern Europe led the pack as the fastest-growing market in October, with a 25.2 percent increase "due to additional capacity and new services launched by a number of airlines."

South America came second with a 9.9 percent surge, while Asia posted an 8.2 percent rise.

India remained the primary destination country with 901,958 passengers, followed by Britain with 493,181 passengers and Saudi Arabia with 349,198 passengers.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said the firm remains "on track to achieve our forecast for 83 million passengers by year-end."

"Accordingly, DXB is sure to retain its status as the leading airport worldwide for international passenger traffic," he said.

Dubai Airports' biggest client, Emirates Airline, reported earlier in November a 75 percent profit decrease in April-December 2016.

Emirates Airline blamed the strong dollar and increased air fare competition for its decline in profits. Endit