surpassing the previous benchmark of 7.2 million travellers set in August 2015.

The 6.3 percent year-on-year growth at Dubai International was driven by a 19.9 percent surge to and from North America, while the GCC and the Indian subcontinent registered 11.6 percent and 8.7 percent increases, respectively.

The top country destination remained India, followed by the UK, while London was placed number one among all cities ahead of Doha and Jeddah.

As Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports, noted, the January figures take Dubai International one step closer to realising this year’s target of 85 million passengers.