DUBAI: Passenger traffic at Dubai International (DXB) airport was down by one percent in January, operator Dubai Airports said on Tuesday.
DXB, the world’s busiest for international travelers, welcomed 7.9 million passengers last month, a small decline compared with the 8-million passenger count during the same month of last year when numbers were boosted by the Chinese New Year celebrations. The Chinese New Year this year fell on February 16.
“With passenger numbers nearing 8 million during the first month of the year, we’ve had a very encouraging start to 2018,” Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, said in a statement.
“What’s even more encouraging is that processes and technologies we have implemented recently are creating a smoother experience for our customers despite the high traffic volumes.”
Routes to the Indian subcontinent remained the single largest destination country for DXB with 1.1 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia with 650,822 passengers and the UK with 547,286 passengers.
London was the top destination city with 333,286 passengers, followed by Kuwait with 231,956 passengers and Mumbai with 225,776 passengers.
South America was the top region in terms of percentage growth during the month at 22.6 percent; followed by Commonwealth of Independent States at 19.7 percent – with a bulk of the increase resulting from the surge on routes like Moscow, Baku and Kazan among others – and Africa at 6.4 percent, which was propelled by the launch of new services by Med View and Emirates on routes to Abuja and doubling of Emirates’ services to Lagos.
Flight movements in January were also down to 35,306 from 36,592 during the same month of 2017. The average number of passengers per flight however remained was up at 232 during the month, an almost one percent increase compared with 230 recorded a year earlier.
Freight volumes were at 202,233 tons in January, down 2.9 percent from the 208,271 tons reported during the same month last year.
DXB is closing its southern runway for 45 days next year for upgrade work, Dubai Airports said earlier this week. The runway will be closed from April 16 to May 30, 2019.
“DXB’s southern runway (12R-30L) which is nearing the end of its design life and requires complete resurfacing and replacement of the airfield ground lighting and supporting infrastructure,” it said.
“As was the case during the 2014 runway upgrade program, Dubai World Central will be an available alternative to absorb affected scheduled flights as well as charter, cargo and general aviation operations.”
Dubai International airport passenger traffic slips to 7.9 million in January
Dubai International airport passenger traffic slips to 7.9 million in January
Saudi Arabia merges National Competitiveness Center and Saudi Business Center
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has merged the National Competitiveness Center and the Saudi Business Center under a unified entity named the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center to streamline business reforms.
The decision was announced during the Cabinet session held in Jeddah on Feb. 24 and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Majid Al-Kassabi, minister of commerce and chairman of the boards of both centers, praised the leadership’s continued support for the private sector, saying the merger will enhance Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness and elevate its ranking in relevant international indicators and reports.
He said the decision will enhance the Kingdom’s competitiveness and elevate its ranking in relevant indicators and reports. It will also facilitate procedures for starting and conducting economic businesses and provide all related services and work by adopting the best international methods and practices.
Al-Kassabi said the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center will continue delivering more than 6,000 government services to the business sector, in integration with relevant government entities, at the highest levels of quality and innovation. Services will be provided through the unified business platform and 20 branches across 15 cities.
He said the merger will unify channels for monitoring challenges facing the private sector and implement targeted reforms to facilitate business, adding that it will enhance the Kingdom’s global competitiveness and maximize the benefits of partnerships with local and international entities and organizations, especially in knowledge transfer and the exchange of expertise.
He said the center will work with the public and private sectors to place the Kingdom among the world’s most competitive countries and make its business environment a global model for the quality, smoothness and efficiency of government services directed to the business sector.
