Traveller numbers climb at Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport reports growing numbers with passenger traffic rising more than 15 per cent to a record 47.2 million travellers last year.

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The Middle East's busiest airport is getting even busier as Dubai International Airport reports growing numbers.

The airport today reported its passenger traffic shot up more than 15 per cent to a record 47.2 million travellers last year, up from 40.9 million in 2009.

Air freight is up too. Cargo traffic jumped nearly 18 per cent to 2.3 million tons in 2010. Dubai International is the hometown hub for the region's largest airline, Emirates.

It and other fast-growing carriers have turned the Gulf into a major transit point for long-haul routes between Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The latest year-to-date figures from Airports Council International show Dubai ranks sixth busiest in the world in terms of international passengers as of October 2010. Associated Press.