It is also the fourth consecutive month of double-digit passenger traffic growth.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said Dubai International remains the only airport among the top 10 worldwide in terms of international passengers to show positive growth in every quarter this year.

He said: "We've seen a 35 per cent increase in passengers travelling to and from Asia, a 21 per cent rise in Western Europe and a 20 per cent upsurge in our largest market, the Indian subcontinent. While many airports worldwide continue to see traffic shrink, in Dubai business is good."

The airport handled a total of 3,190,408 passengers in September compared to 2,699,806 passengers during the corresponding period last year, raising the year-to-date passenger throughput to 30,068,739 passengers – up 7.9 per cent over 27,852,332 in 2008. With an average monthly throughput of 3.2 million passengers so far this year, and expectations of a sustained growth in traffic during the fourth quarter, Dubai International is on track to break the 40 million passenger mark projected for 2009.

Cargo growth remained stable in September with a modest increase of 2.75 per cent. Dubai Airports Cargo handled 168,334 tonnes of freight in September 2009 compared to 163,836 tonnes during the same period last year. Year-to-date cargo volumes total 1,366,880 tonnes compared to 1,361,358 tonnes in 2008, a marginal increase of 0.4 per cent.

Griffiths said the seasonal impact of Ramadan and increasing tourist traffic were key factors behind the growth in September.

He said: "Tourists are taking advantage of competitive airfares and hotel rates. Those numbers should continue to swell in the months ahead, particularly when the Dubai Airshow opens on November 15."

The Dubai Airshow will be held from November 15 to 19. It is the foremost aerospace event in the Middle East and the fastest growing in the world. The air show is expected to attract up to 900 exhibitors from nearly 50 countries, plus some 50,000 visitors.