Sharp rise in passengers at Dubai World Central

Dubai's second airport has seen a significant increase in passenger numbers and air traffic.

New figures show Dubai World Central (DWC) experienced a 366 per cent rise in the number of people passing through it in the second quarter of this year. A total of 475,992 passengers used the transport hub from April through to the end of June, up from 102,137 in the first quarter of 2014.

This increase is undoubtedly linked to the major runway improvement carried out at Dubai International during the period, which saw 600 flights diverted to DWC each week.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, stated: 'We were particularly pleased with the airport’s ability to smoothly absorb the rush in traffic and impress passengers with its speed, convenience and efficiency.'

Aircraft movements increased markedly at DWC, rising by 123 per cent in the second quarter. On a yearly basis, they are currently up by 131.1 per cent.

Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, told Khaleej Times: 'This additional capacity [at DWC] now provides airlines with a longer-term basis to consider permanently shifting some or all of their flights should a need arise.'

While the improvements being undertaken at Dubai International have had a positive impact on DWC, it too has had plenty to be pleased about in recent weeks.

Recent forecasts have predicted some 70 million passengers will pass through the aviation centre over the course of 2014 and it has been voted the best airport in the Middle East, Europe and Africa by online publication the Frequent Business Traveller.

This week has seen Emirates reveal it will be increasing the number of flights between Dubai and Morocco. As of September 1st, a second daily flight will be added by the airline taking the total number up to 14 per week.

Emirates said this decision has been driven by increased demand for transport between the two destinations.