Dubai airport passenger traffic slips in February

DUBAI: Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport fell in February, the world's busiest airport for international travellers reported on Thursday.

The airport handled 6.93 million passengers compared to 6.95 million a year earlier, down 0.3 percent, said operator Dubai Airports in a statement.

Dubai airport is the hub for Emirates, the Middle East's largest airline, and for flydubai.

The airport handled 3.2 percent fewer flights in February with 31,456 take-offs and landings compared to 32,486 a year earlier.

Cargo volumes in February were down 0.6 percent to 191,575 tonnes.

The airport is expecting modest growth this year, forecasting annual passenger traffic to increase 2.4 percent to 90.3 million.