PASSENGER traffic through Dubai’s airports will increase by 7.2 per cent annually and reach 98.5 million by 2020, more than double the 47.2 million passengers recorded last year, according to Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths.

This is in spite of the political challenges some Middle Eastern countries are currently facing, he added.

“Despite the world economic downturn in 2009, while other airports saw traffic declining, Dubai Airports saw international passengers increase by 9.1 per cent, demonstrating the resilience of Dubai’s aviation sector in challenging market conditions,” Griffiths said.

The CEO said the projection was based on increased liberisation and GDP growth in various countries, and the increasing affluent and mobile population in emerging markets.

“Dubai is well-positioned to capture this growth,” he said. “We are eight hours from two-thirds of the world’s population and on the doorstep of the two most dynamic markets in the world, India and China.”

Dubai Airports owns and operates the emirate's two airports, Dubai International (DXB) and the currently cargo-traffic only Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). DWC is scheduled to start passenger services next year.