Dubai International cemented its title as the world's busiest airport for international passengers in 2016, with a 7.2% increase in traveller numbers to 83.6 million, its operator said Tuesday (January 24th).
Dubai Airports said "near record numbers" in December had pushed annual traffic at the Gulf hub to 83,654,250 passengers, compared with 78,014,838 in 2015, AFP reported.
The airport, which serves as the home of Emirates airline, became the world's busiest in terms of international passenger traffic in 2014.
"With our new forecast for 89 million passengers in 2017, DXB is closing the gap on Atlanta and Beijing for the top spot in overall traffic," said Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths.
The airport announced last February it was expanding its annual capacity to 90 million passengers with the opening of a new concourse.
Situated on transcontinental air routes, Dubai is one of several Gulf-based airports to experience prodigious growth in recent years.
More than 100 airlines fly to around 260 destinations from the international hub.
