More than 750,000 passengers have flown in and out of Dubai International Airport since Friday, as the extended Eid Al Adha holiday kick-starts the summer travel rush.
Travellers have flocked to the bustling transport hub in huge numbers in recent days, buoyed by a six-day public and private-sector holiday for the religious festival, which began on Tuesday.
Some employees had also booked Monday off work to maximise their holiday allowance, in a move expected to further increase airport traffic.
Dubai authorities told The National they were braced for the spike in passengers.
Lt Gen Mohammed Al Marri, director general of Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, said the airport had welcomed 752,167 passengers from Friday until midnight on Tuesday.
“During Eid and summer holidays, the airport sees more travellers and our job is to ensure smooth and happy journeys,” Lt Gen Al Marri told The National during a tour of the airport on the first day of Eid Al Adha on Wednesday.
“Using advanced technologies such as smart gates and the high level of staff working helped to ensure a smooth operation,” he added.
