Dubai International Airport has posted a 9.38 per cent increase in freight traffic year-on-year traffic in 2008, despite the worldwide economic slump and a slowdown in global travel demand. The airport handled 1,824,991 tonnes of cargo in 2008 compared with 1,668,505 tonnes of freight in 2007. The airport also saw passenger numbers rise 9 per cent with a throughput of 37.4 million passengers, compared with 34.3 million passengers a year earlier. However, the airport missed its target of 40 million passengers, a statement from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) said. Dubai International Airport¡¯s growth in 2008 was a clear sign of the United Arab Emirates¡¯ ¡°sturdy economy and Dubai¡¯s significance not only to local and regional growth but also to tourism and business globally¡± and that the ¡°momentum of this growth would have a positive influence on the airport¡¯s situations as well as the overall projected growth for Dubai Airport for 2009,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and chairman of Dubai Airports.