NEWS / REGIONAL
Dubai passenger traffic at new peak H1 2012 passenger throughput reaches nearly 28 million - up 14% on 2011
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
to achieve its goals for the next eight years. According to Griffiths, the airport’s continued expansion plan will eventually bring its total annual capacity to 98.5 million by 2020. Dubai Airports’ passenger
Dubai International Airport (DIA) has recorded the busiest first half of the year in its 52-year history with passenger traffic reaching 27.9 million between January and June this year, rising by almost 14 percent from the same period in 2011. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said the facility is on track to meet its annual projected
traffic of 56.5 million passengers, which will bring the airport close to its operational capacity of 60 million passengers per year. “Our record first half had some interesting story lines, highlighted by the launch of 12 new routes, the addition of four new airlines and a surge in traf- fic on routes to Saudi Arabia, US, Qatar and Australia,” he said.
The opening of Concourse 3,
which reportedly cost AED4.3 billion (US$1.17 billion) to con- struct, in the first quarter of 2013 is anticipated to further raise DIA’s passenger capacity to 75 million per year. Dubai Airports has been bullish about its growth strat- egy, investing around AED28.67 billion (US$7.8 billion) in order
traffic figure remained upbeat last year despite the political situation that shook some desti- nations in the Middle East and North Africa. Total throughput was registered at nearly 51 mil- lion, posting an eight percent gain from the 47.26 million passengers handled in 2010.
US$1.17
billion total cost of Concourse 3 construction
Kuwait to welcome new five-star property in Q4
Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, due to open in winter 2012/2013, will stand as Kuwait’s latest corporate events and meetings destination. Offering around 17 event
and conference rooms catering for meetings of varying sizes, Jumeirah Messilah will also boast the largest ballroom in the country with a floor area of 1,950 square metres and, said Mark Griffiths, General Manager. “The corporate events and meetings sector is a very impor- tant segment for us and it will represent approximately 25 percent of our revenue,” he told meetme, as the hotel aims to take advantage of Kuwait’s emerging meetings market. Ideally located within
easy access to the Kuwait International Airport, the
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large government and oil-related events, in addition to smaller meetings and exhibitions. The hotel also plans to tap
Kuwait’s lucrative social scene by hosting private gatherings, society dinners and weddings. Although the exact date for the venue’s launch has yet to be final- ised, Griffiths said the market feedback has so far been positive. “Those who have visited the
capital’s commercial business district, upscale residences, oil company offices and shore- lines of the Arabian Gulf, the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa is poised to attract both
business and leisure travellers. The property’s entry into the Kuwaiti market proves timely as the country increases efforts to boost the conference and meet- ings industry by encouraging
hotel have been impressed with the product and the expanse of the resort facilities. We have received a tremendous number of enquiries from small meetings to large conferences and exhibi- tions,” he said. Aside from its extensive
meetings facilities, the hotel also features 316 rooms and suites, 80 residential suites, 12 villas, six restaurants and cafés, as well as spa and wellness facilities.
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