Dubai visitor numbers to exceed pre-pandemic levels in final weeks of 2021, DXB chief says

Terminal 3 is expected to serve more than 1.6 million passengers in the second half of December during the holiday travel period

Dubai's skyline. Reem Mohammed / The National

Ain Dubai, on Bluewaters Island. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Artwork displayed on Burj Khalifa celebrating the UAE’s 50th National Day. Pawan Singh / The National.

The interior of the Dubai Frame. Victor Besa / The National.

Dubai Garden Glow. Victor Besa / The National.

Seagulls at the Jumeirah beach near the Burj Al Arab hotel. Pawan Singh / The National

Dhows unloading and loading items by Deira's Spice Market. Reem Mohammed / The National

A light show at the Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National.

Shoppers and vendors in the Gold and Spice Souk area of Deira in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Tourists view and buy jewels at the famous gold shops in the Gold Souk. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Tourists visit the Dubai Museum in Bur Dubai. Paulo Vecina / The National

For many, Deira and the creek, the Khor Dubai, with its dhow moorings, water taxis and souks, is the very essence of the old city. Sarah Dea / The National

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, in Al Bastakiya. Dubai Tourism

Goods on display outside the shop at Old Souk in Bur Dubai. Pawan Singh/The National

Aura Sky Pool, the world’s first 360° infinity pool, on the Palm. Victor Besa / The National.

The aquarium at Dubai Mall draws a huge number of visitors every year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Exterior view of Dubai Mall. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The outdoor terrace at Honyaki in Madinat Jumeirah, overlooking the Burj Al Arab. Photo: Jumeriah Group

A tourist takes a selfie at JBR beach near the Ritz Carlton hotel in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Children at Ski Dubai Photo: Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai, in Mall of the Emirates, in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Jeff Topping / The National

The number of visitors to Dubai is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels in the remaining few weeks of 2021 during the peak holiday travel period, in a further sign of the airport's and tourism industry's continued recovery.

Dubai International Airport (DXB)'s Terminal 3 is expected to handle more than 1.6 million passengers in the second half of December during the month's peak seasonal travel period, operator Dubai Airports said in a statement on Monday.

Visitors to Dubai exceeded 1 million during the month of October and DXB handled 1 million passengers per week in November, with origin-destination passengers reaching 94 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

“The number of visitors to Dubai is likely to exceed pre-pandemic levels during the final few weeks of the year, which is an excellent milestone on our journey towards full recovery,” Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, said.

“We took early steps to implement best-in-class hygiene and health protocols, fast track PCR testing facilities, and enhanced customer service and guest support resources to ensure the comfort, convenience and safety of travellers — and this has resulted in a strong recovery towards pre-pandemic levels of passengers.”

Following the reopening of the final phase of Concourse A at Terminal 3 in DXB, the world's busiest airport by international traffic is now operating at its full capacity.

“Reaching the point where 100 per cent of our facilities are now open and serving customers, plus the huge resurgence in passengers arriving into Dubai marks an important milestone for the aviation sector as well as for the city of Dubai and its economic growth,” Mr Griffiths said.

Emirates Airline, the main airline customer at DXB, has restored 90 per cent of its network and is on track to reach 70 per cent of its pre-Covid-19 capacity by the end of 2021.

Dubai Airports raised its forecast for annual passenger traffic this year by an additional two million, anticipating the influx of travellers at Dubai International Airport (DXB) will reach 28.7 million as travel restrictions in key markets start to ease.

It is projecting 57 million annual passengers for next year.

“The rate of recovery of DXB has exceeded most other airports of comparable size and highlights the positive international reputation that Dubai has as an attractive city that has taken decisive steps to protect its visitors and residents,” Mr Griffiths said.