UAE air traffic breaks previous records

The total number of air traffic movements in 2010 stood at 64,457, up 11.09 per cent on the previous year, the GCAA report said. The daily average number of movements last year was 1,766, an increase of 11.13 per cent on 2009's daily average of 1,589 movements per day.

Dubai ranked first with 292,662 air traffic movements, or almost 45.4% of total UAE air traffic movements. Abu Dhabi was next with 94,796 air traffic movements, or 14.7% of total air traffic movements, while Sharjah followed with 64,189 air traffic movements, representing 9.96% of total air traffic movements in the UAE.

Over flights were also a major part of the total with 140,821 movement, representing 21.85% of the total.

Mohammad Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, said: "The year 2010 was a landmark in the history of aviation in the UAE amid difficult and challenging conditions worldwide, especially economic conditions.

"The sector made new records and witnessed unprecedented growth rates in terms of air traffic movements in the UAE.

This can be attributed to strong foundations, wide vision, highly developed policies and continued efforts to develop and facilitate systems and procedures,” he said.

December witnessed the highest number of movements at 57,847, up 5.9 per cent on the 52,788 movements during the same month in 2009.