The number of visitors to Dubai is likely to return to pre-pandemic levels in the last weeks of 2021 during the peak holiday travel season in December, indicating the airport’s and tourist industry’s sustained recovery.

Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is projected to accommodate more than 1.6 million passengers during the month’s peak seasonal travel period in the second half of December, according to Dubai Airports in a statement issued on Monday.

During the month of October, visitors to Dubai topped one million, while DXB handled one million passengers per week in November, with origin-destination passengers hitting 94% of pre-pandemic levels.

“We took early steps to implement best-in-class hygiene and health protocols, fast track PCR testing facilities, and enhanced customer service and guest support resources to ensure the comfort, convenience, and safety of travellers – and this has resulted in a strong recovery towards pre-pandemic levels of passengers,” Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said.

“During the final few weeks of the year, the number of visitors to Dubai is expected to approach pre-pandemic levels, which is an excellent milestone on our route to complete recovery.”

Following the reopening of the final section of Concourse A at Terminal 3 in DXB, the world’s busiest airport in terms of international traffic is now fully operational.

“Reaching the point where 100% of our facilities are now operational and servicing customers, along with a significant increase in passenger arrivals into Dubai, represents a major milestone for the aviation sector as well, as for the city of Dubai and its economic growth,” Griffiths said.

Emirates Airline, DXB’s primary airline client, has recovered 90% of its network and is on schedule to restore 70% of its pre-Covid-19 capacity by the end of 2021.

Dubai Airports increased its annual passenger traffic prediction for this year by two million, forecasting a 28.7 million passenger flood at Dubai International Airport (DXB) as travel restrictions in major countries begin to loosen.

It expects 57 million passengers for next year.

“The rate of recovery at DXB has outpaced that of most other airports of comparable size, highlighting Dubai’s strong international reputation as an appealing city that has taken proactive actions to safeguard its tourists and inhabitants,” Griffiths added.