According to Gulfnews, passenger throughput at Dubai International Airport - the largest in the Middle East - crossed the nine-million mark in the first quarter this year, registering an increase of 15.11 per cent over the corresponding period in 2007, a statement said.

The airport handled a total of 9,341,270 passengers from January to March this year, as compared to 8,114,762 in the first quarter of 2007. March was the busiest month with 3.25 million passengers while February registered the lowest at just over 2.97 million passengers.

With a total of 34.34 million passengers in 2007, the airport had registered an increase of over 19 per cent over 2006. The passenger throughput is expected to cross 40 million this year and reach 60 million by 2010.

The total tonnage of cargo handled during the period under review reached 399,718 tonnes as against 362,919 tonnes during the first quarter of 2007, a substantial increase of over 10 per cent. March was the busiest month for cargo with over 144,954 tonnes while February showed a greater year-on-year growth at 12.1 per cent.

There were a total of 68,869 aircraft movements during the period under review, an increase of 8.5 per cent over the first quarter of 2007. With over 24,143 aircraft movements, March was the busiest month, well over January (22,903) and February (21,823).

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, said the report is encouraging and will set the tempo for the remainder of the year.

He noted that after six years of consecutive double-digit growth, Dubai International Airport is looking forward to repeating the feat this year as well.

"The region's aviation sector is the world's fastest growing, and Dubai being the regional hub for trade, tourism and aviation, a consistent increase in passenger throughput at Dubai International Airport shouldn't come as a surprise," he said.

Mohammad Ahli, director-general of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and chief executive officer of Air Traffic Services, said: "We have had new airlines joining us periodically, thanks to Dubai's envious position as the region's best connection, and our destination network has also expanded rapidly in the recent years. In 2008, the list of airlines serving Dubai has risen to 124, an addition of four since 2007, while we have added as many new destinations to our network and it presently stands at 207," he said.