Dubai International has welcomed 6.4 million passengers in October, according to the monthly traffic report issued today by operator Dubai Airports.

Passenger traffic at DXB reached 6,420,208 passengers compared to 6,250,810 recorded in the corresponding month last year, an increase of 2.7 per cent. Year to date, passenger numbers at DXB have risen 6.8 per cent to 69,366,094 compared to 64,947,684 recorded during the first ten months of 2015.

Eastern Europe led the pack again as the fastest-growing market in October (+25.2 per cent) thanks to additional capacity and new services launched by a number of airlines, followed by South America (9.9 per cent), Asia (8.2 per cent) and the Indian Subcontinent (6.7 per cent). India remained the top destination country (901,958 passengers), followed by the UK (493,181 passengers) and Saudi Arabia (349,198 passengers).

London continued to be the top destination city out of Dubai with 301,024 passengers followed by Doha (230,561 passengers) and Mumbai (177,590 passengers). Baku (+108.7 per cent) topped the list of cities in terms of percentage growth, followed by Amritsar (80.9 per cent), Calicut (56.8 per cent) and Cape Town (49.3 per cent) due to increased capacity.

A total of 35,294 flights operated at DXB during the month under review compared to 34,921 movements recorded in October 2015 representing an increase of 1.1 per cent. Year to date 347,463 flights operated at DXB, up 3 per cent compared to 337,426 recorded during the same period in 2015. The average number of passengers per flight during the month was 191 up from 187 during October of last year.

October’s freight volumes totalled 236,169 tonnes, up 9.5 per cent compared to the 215,714 tonnes handled during the same month last year. Year to date cargo volumes reached 2,127,589 tonnes, up 2.8 per cent compared to 2,069,360 tonnes recorded during the same period last year.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said: “Cargo numbers impressed during October with the biggest monthly increase we’ve seen all year. On the passenger side, we remain 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.”

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “The push for growth, new markets and expanding fleets dominated by the two big incumbents in Emirates and flydubai, Dubai International has cemented it’s position as the true global travel hub, despite the pressures of congestion and delays.

“With almost 70m passengers handled thus far in 2016, and with figures yet to come in for November and December, its status as the world’s busiest international airport remains as robust as it was a year ago.

“The sharp rise in cargo traffic too speaks to the better integration and bonded transport links from Jebel Ali to both Dubai International and Dubai World Central as well as the traditional boost to freight traffic coinciding with the soon to arrive festive period.

Ahmad added: “Dubai International has reaped the rewards of its runway improvements as well has enhanced runway operations between aircraft to allow speedier landings and take-offs. Going forward, the pressure to expand DWC becomes ever more greater.”