UAE air and passenger traffic up but with worrying cargo weakness showing

Air traffic movements in the UAE are closing in on 2000 movements per day, with 57,773 flights handled across the country over Sep-2011. That is an increase of 9.7% year-on-year, continuing the healthy growth in traffic that the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has been reporting through the year.

Dubai, home to Emirates and flydubai, accounts for more than half the country's air traffic movements, handling 25,874 flights last month. That eclipses the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi, which plays home to Etihad Airways. Abu Dhabi International Airport handled just 8354 aircraft movements, or 14%, in September.

Sharjah, where local LCC Air Arabia has its main hub, handles around 5000 aircraft movements per month. The remainder of airports in the country - comprising Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, as well as airports in Ras Ali Khaimah and Fujairah - handled just over 1000 movements.