UAE flights increase by 7.3% in July

UAE flights grew by 7.3 percent in July compared to the same month last year, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced.The GCAA monthly report indicated that total air traffic movements in July were 58,620 with an average of 1,891 air traffic movements per day.Dubai International Airport ranked first with 26,109 flights while flights over the UAE came next with 12,987 movements.The UAE, home to state-backed airlines Etihad and Emirates, is investing heavily in aviation as it seeks to become a global leader in aviation and passenger traffic.Dubai’s ruler on July 6 approved a $7.8bn expansion plan for Dubai’s airports in a bid to become the world’s busiest travel hub.Dubai International Airport plans to boost capacity from 60 million travellers now to 75 million by 2012 and to 90 million by 2018, Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports, said last month.Abu Dhabi ranked third with 8,681 air traffic movements, ahead of Sharjah International Airport which recorded 5248 movements.Local flights between UAE airports were in the fifth position with 4,544 movements. Dubai International Airport was the third busiest for international traffic in the first quarter of 2011 after London Heathrow and Hong Kong, according to the Airports Council International. From / Arabian Business News