Fujairah International Airport has recorded 110 per cent increase in the number of passengers and 11 per cent rise in the volume of cargo handled during the first three months of this year compared with 2002. Khaled Al Mazroui, general manager of the airport, said the number of passengers increased from 10,999 during the first three months of 2002, to 23,120 during the same period this year, according to a report in Gulf News.

Cargo handling movement went up from 9,965 tonnes during the first three months of 2002, to 11,050 tonnes during the same period this year. Taking off and landing operations increased by 62 per cent from 2,276 movements in the first three months of 2002 to 3,695 operations in the same period this year. The remarkable increase in passengers and cargo and flight handling operations was due to the outstanding services and facilities which the airport management offers to its users, said Al Mazroui, appreciating the continuous support of Mohammed Al Salami, chairman of the Fujairah Civil Aviation Department.

He pointed out that the increase in the airport`s activities during the first three months of this year proved its capability of accommodating a large number of flights and an expected increase in the near future. The airport offers services to business and tourism, and technical services to aircraft which want to land for technical reasons or use it as a temporary stopover or final destination, Al Mazroui said. Planes also use the airport to refuel as it has Adnoc, Eppco and Emarat stations.