ABU DHABI — Abu Dhabi International Airport passenger traffic grows by 13.1 percent in February, the AMEinfo. com said on Thursday, citing a report by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).



It said that more than 1.2 million passengers passed through the airport in that month.



Aircraft movements in February also grew by 7.5 percent over the same period last year, totalling 9,960, while cargo volume increased by 16.7 percent, reaching 50,020 tons.



Commenting on the traffic report, Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), said: "The significant increase in passengers, aircraft and cargo volumes is in-line with the anticipated growth trend for Abu Dhabi International Airport.



India recorded the highest traffic, growing by 9.1 percent over the same period last year, followed by Germany, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.



Meanwhile, Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport also rose by 11.4 percent in February from the same month last year, Hotelier Middle East.com said on Thursday.



Citing an airport’s latest monthly report, it said the Dubai global airport handled 5.1 million passengers during the month.



Aircraft traffic also increased 3.8 percent to 27,058, it said.



"We continue to stay ahead of the curve in terms of our traffic forecast of 65.4 million passengers in 2013," Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said in a statement on Tuesday.



The news agency said Eastern Europe was the airport’s fastest expanding market with growth of 29.6 percent, following Emirates Airline’s new service to Poland and a new Flydubai route to Macedonia.



The number of Asia-Pacific passengers rose 21.8 percent, Russia and CIS by 18.5 percent, the GCC by 16.5 percent and Asia 15 percent.



The increase from Asia came after a daily service from Dubai to Manila was introduced, it said.



Passengers from the Middle East were the only demographic to show a decrease, Dubai Airports said, falling 1.6 percent year-on-year on the back of regional unrest, it added.



India registered an increase of 10.8 percent, while travelers to and from the UK rose 5.2 percent, and those from Saudi Arabia by 42.3 percent.



Freight volumes to and from the hub increased by 15.9 percent during February to 182,580 tons. — SG