DUBAI, Feb 19, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Dubai's air hub has "every chance" of 
breaking its record for passenger traffic this year after surpassing pre-
pandemic levels in 2023, Dubai Airports' CEO told AFP on Monday.

Dubai International, the world's busiest airport for international passengers 
for nearly a decade, hit 87 million visits in 2023, beating the 2019 figure 
of 86.4 million despite the Gaza war, new figures showed.

Chief executive Paul Griffiths cited early recovery in Dubai -- the United 
Arab Emirates' business and financial centre -- from the pandemic and a quick 
rebound in airport staffing levels as key factors.

"We were ready sooner. We were back to 100 percent capacity much sooner, and 
as a result, our traffic has rebounded far more quickly," he said, adding 
that Dubai's record of 89.1 million passengers, set in 2018, could be 
surpassed this year.

"I think there's every chance of going above it. It could be a new record," 
Griffiths said. "I've had a peek at the January numbers and let's say it 
gives me some cause for optimism."

Dubai Airports' official forecast for this year stands at 88.8 million 
passengers, just shy of the record, despite Israel's war against Hamas which 
began in October.

"We've demonstrated the absolute resilience of the network that we operate," 
said Griffiths, adding that Dubai's airport serves 104 countries via 102 
airlines.

"If there is a bit of a dip in demand from one destination or point of 
origin, then that tends to be compensated by the rest of the network filling 
the space," he added.

Cargo traffic was up 20.4 percent in the last quarter, perhaps because of 
attacks on shipping through the Red Sea by Yemen's Huthi rebels, Griffiths 
said.

He would not discuss security arrangements for the airport, beyond saying 
they were "well developed". 

The Huthis fired drones and missiles at key infrastructure in the UAE in 
January 2022, killing three oil workers and starting a fire on the grounds of 
Abu Dhabi airport.

Griffiths said the growth in traffic to and from fast-developing Saudi Arabia 
had been "phenomenal", with Riyadh now Dubai's second busiest route behind 
London.

"If you look at the growth of travel and tourism across the world, we are 
only scratching the surface in this region," he said.

"The region is waking up to the fact that travel and tourism is a fantastic 
driver of growth for the economy, and also it isn't really competitive, it's 
collaborative, and it's complimentary.
 
"If you've got more cities that people want to visit, the more cities and 
options there are, the more people will come to the region."