In what could be seen as revival of increased tourism and business activities, the Dubai International Airport (DIA) has reported significant increase in passenger numbers according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) statistics.

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group informed that passenger using the services at DIA surged 8 per cent to touch 40.5 million by the end of this year against the corresponding period last year. Maktoum was addressing the Middle East Duty Free Conference in the city.

The airport reported a fifth consecutive month of double-digit growth with the operator posted 11.7 per cent increase in October as compared to the same period last year. A total of 3,496,366 passengers used DIA against 3,130,333 passengers in October last year, indicating revival of aviation industry which remained under huge pressure in the backdrop of global financial crisis.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) data indicates an 18.2-per cent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in September by the regional air operators.

Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of Dubai Airports informed that there has been a significant increase in traffic from Europe and Russia in the recent months.