Dubai International Airport (DBX) reports that its November 2017 passenger traffic grew by +5.6% to almost 7m (6,953,596), compared to 6,581,805 recorded in the same period in 2016.

Year to date, passenger numbers at DXB have risen +5.8% to 80,387,442, compared to 75,947,899 recorded during the same time frame in 2016.

The most significant contribution to passenger numbers came from the Indian Subcontinent and Western Europe, representing increases of +7.5% and +8% respectively.

India (999,625) remained the top destination country for DBX. However, for the first time in four months, Saudi Arabia (534,906) climbed to the second spot in terms of passenger numbers by country, and is now ahead of the UK (507,796).

HIGH PAX TRAFFIC DESPITE FEWER FLIGHTS

Although flight numbers were down -3.7% on 2016, the average number of passengers per flight during the month remained high at 215, up +7.3% year on year, confirms DBX.

Commenting on the latest passenger results, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said: “Over the past year, Dubai International has witnessed consistent growth in terms of passenger traffic. Given the high passenger traffic volumes we welcomed in December we anticipate ending the year on a positive note.”

‘RECORD-BREAKING’ SALES 

As a result of increasing passenger traffic at DBX last year, Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has achieved ‘record-breaking’ 2017 annual results of $1.93bn (€1.61bn), as reported.

According to DDF, perfume sales alone generated a staggering $300m (€249m) and contributed 16% to DDF’s annual results.

Perfumes has therefore retained its top position as the best-selling category at DDF. However, the liquor, tobacco and cosmetics categories also recorded healthy returns.

The liquor category generated $298m (€247m) in sales, up +2% compared to 2016. Tobacco sales increased a whopping +19%, recording $189m (€157m). Cosmetics also increased +17% generating $172m (€143m).

Other increases were noted in the electronics category, rising +16% to $150m (€125m), and watches were also up +13% to $142m (€118m). Handbags and small leather sales also increased +16% to $51m (€42).

CONTINUED EXPANSION

Apart from increasing passenger traffic, DDF also attributes these sales increases to the extra retail space created over the last year.

This includes the opening of new perfumes, cosmetics, liquor and tobacco areas in Concourse C (at the end of 2016), the opening of a Bulgari shop in Concourse B, new retail areas for liquor and gifts from Dubai in the departures terminal of Al Maktoum International Airport, and the opening of a new shop in the Riverland area of the Dubai Parks and Resorts.

To keep up with the demand, DDF says it has continued to expand its automated warehouse facility and has become the first to go live with an upgrade of its Oracle Retail Systems to Oracle Retail Release 16.