DXB remains #1 airport for international passengers; Dubai DF sales pass $1.85b

brandDubai International served 83.6 million passengers in 2016, retaining its title as the world’s #1 airport for international passengers.

Monthly passenger traffic broke the 7-million mark six times during the year, including 7.72 million in August. As a result, DXB’s annual traffic in 2016 totaled 83,654,250, up a robust 7.2% from 78,014,838 in 2015.

India continued to lead as Dubai’s single largest destination country for the full year, followed by Saudi Arabia, which marginally overtook the UK.

Dubai Duty Free’s annual sales in 2016 reached US$1.85 billion.

Perfumes was the highest selling category with annual sales topping $306.85 million. Perfumes represents 16.55% of total annual sales. Liquor fol-lowed with sales of $295.40 million and Cigarettes & Tobacco came in third place with sales of $160.70 million. Cosmetics came in fourth place with sales of $148.80 million followed by Confectionery with $143.75 million.  Sales in departures outlets across the concourses accounted for 86.66% of the total annual sales at US$1.60 billion.