Dubai International Airport was named the world's busiest for international passengers in October, reclaiming the top spot from Amsterdam's Schiphol, as capacity returns amid an ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The monthly rankings by aviation consultancy OAG were calculated using airlines' international seat capacity and international flight frequency in October, compared to the same month in 2019 before the onset of the pandemic.
"Amsterdam Schiphol's position as the world's busiest international airport was short-lived as Dubai reclaims the top spot this month as capacity through the Middle East hub returns in earnest," OAG said in a report.
Amsterdam moved into second place while Frankfurt and London Heathrow, Europe’s other big airports, were placed third and fourth, respectively, OAG said.
Dubai International Airport is home to Emirates airline, the world's biggest long-haul carrier, which has already restored 90 per cent of its network and is on track to reach 70 per cent of its pre-pandemic capacity by the end of 2021.
The emirate is also hosting the six-month Expo 2020 Dubai world fair, which officially began in October.
The UAE is set to register a boost in passenger traffic after the reopening of important source markets such as India and the UK.
The reopening of economies around the world, the gradual relaxation of pandemic-induced travel curbs and rapid vaccination programmes are driving the rebound in air travel demand.
Apart from Dubai, with 2.7 million seats, three other Middle East airports made it into the top 10. They are Istanbul in fifth place, Doha in seventh position and Antalya in ninth spot, according to OAG.
European hubs dominated the top 10 list, including Charles de Gaulle in Paris (sixth), Adolfo Suarez-Barajas in Madrid (eighth) and Vienna in Austria (10th).
"Half of the top 10 global airports, by seat capacity, are located in the US," OAG said.
"Reflective of the strong growth in the Chinese domestic market this month, there are now three Chinese airports in the top 10, with Istanbul and Delhi making up the final two."
The busiest international airline route globally in October was between Antalya in Turkey and Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in Russia, which was the third busiest in September, according to OAG data.
There was a strong recovery taking place on some key Middle East routes in October, the consultancy said.
Four of the top 10 busiest international airline routes start or end in Dubai, connecting Riyadh, London Heathrow, Bahrain and Jeddah with the UAE.
In Africa, the busiest international routes by region were between Cairo and Jeddah, Cairo and Dubai, and Cairo and Riyadh.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
