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DThe ubai international airport saw the coronavirus pandemic reduce passenger traffic by an unprecedented 70 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year, even as the airport maintained its prized title as the world’s busiest for international travel, announced today its CEO.
While the key east-west transit point began to see an increase in traffic after long-haul carrier Emirates resumed its routes last summer, the airport’s passenger load of 25.9 million in 2020 remains a drip compared to 2019.
For months when the travel industry crashed around the world, Dubai’s massive airport, which handled 86.4 million passengers in 2019, became a ghost town of closed shops. But the recovery gained momentum in December when the city touted itself as a pandemic-friendly vacation spot for tourists fleeing harsh restrictions in their home country.
Backing Dubai’s reopening since last July has been an aggressive coronavirus testing campaign, with visitors welcome from anywhere provided they are tested on arrival and, in many cases, prior to departure.
Meanwhile, the UAE is struggling with a large spike in cases, prompting countries to stop flights to Dubai.
The UK banned all direct flights to Dubai last month, freezing the world’s busiest international air route. London was ranked as the top destination city for Dubai Airport last year, with 1.15 million customers.
Dubai International Airport surpassed London Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport for international traffic in 2014.
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