Dubai International Airport on Track to Break its Passenger Record

Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest airport for international travel for the last ten years, continues to grow, as it reported a record number of passengers passing through its gates in the first half of the year.

According to figures released by the airport’s operator, Dubai Airports, a record 44.9 million people traveled through its terminals in the first six months of 2024, marking an 8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. In addition, the 21.8 million passengers recorded in Q2 2024 is 7.5 percent higher than the same period last year.

Photo: Dubai International Hotel at Concourse B. Courtesy of Dubai International Airport

These record numbers demonstrate the high demand for travel to and through Dubai and indicate a strong resurgence of air travel worldwide following the pandemic. Moreover, they reflect Dubai’s resilience to increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and its benefit from a significant rebound in air traffic from China.

Back on Track

The busiest year in DXB’s history was in 2018, when 89.1 million passengers passed through its gates, but the latest figures suggest it is well on track to surpass those numbers this year.

“The record-breaking performance in the first half of this year highlights our strategic importance as a global aviation hub,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

Photo: Courtesy of Dubai International Airport

“Dubai is at the forefront of global cities when it comes to attracting talent, businesses, and tourists from around the world, and we are proud to be the gateway to the city, driving growth and enhancing the airport experience for every guest.”

According to Griffiths, the strong demand from key source markets, such as India, and the gradual but certain resurgence of markets like China have been crucial for our success.

“We have a very optimistic outlook for the remainder of the year, and we are on track to break records with 91.8 million annual guests forecasted for 2024,” he said.

According to Airports Council International (ACI) data, DXB welcomed 86.9 million passengers in 2023, making it the busiest international airport in the world for the tenth year in a row. In fact, it welcomed over 12 million more passengers last year than the world’s second-busiest airport, London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Changing Trends in Passenger Traffic

Traditionally, DXB has been heavily reliant on transit passengers for its footfall, with the majority of those flying in and out of the airport on connecting flights to other destinations. However, Griffiths states that the dynamic is shifting, with increasing numbers of travelers coming to Dubai for tourism and business.

“Before the pandemic, 60 percent of people coming through the airport were actually transiting to other cities and countries,” Griffiths told The Associated Press. “We’ve now got 60 percent coming to the city and 40 percent in transit. That is obviously very good because it means that traffic to the city is very dynamic and buoyant.”

The announcement of DXB’s record passenger numbers comes just months after Emirates—which calls the airport home—posted record annual profits of $4.7 billion, up from $2.9 billion the previous year.

Photo: Courtesy of Dubai Airports

Meanwhile, with passenger numbers expected to increase further in the coming years, plans are fully underway for the expansion of nearby Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Scheduled for opening in the 2030s, the new airport is set to be the world’s largest, handling up to 250 million passengers annually by 2050.