Busiest In The World? Maybe

Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB, ICAO: OMDB) reported the busiest year in its history with 92.3 million passengers in 2024, as it continues to rank at or near the top among the world’s busiest airports. The airport surpassed its previous all-time high of 89.1 million passengers in 2018.

The airport reported 8.2 million passengers in the month of December alone for the busiest month of the year. The Airports Council International (ACI) said that Dubai has been the world’s busiest airport for the past ten years.

However, a chart on the ACI website shows that the Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International (KATL) reported 104.6 million passengers in 2024, and other sources report that ATL has been the world’s busiest airport for years, reaching its pre-covid peak of over 110 million. The varying results could be attributed to differences in counting methodologies used by different data sources in the industry.

One thing is certain: tourism has swelled in Dubai during the last ten years as visitors come from around the world to enjoy its hotels, entertainment, and warm climate. More than 700 million guests have been through the airport since 2014 on 3.3 million flights. The airport’s goal is to reach the milestone number of 100 million annual passengers by 2027.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, “Crossing the 92 million mark is a monumental achievement for DXB and for Dubai. It reflects the relentless drive, collaboration, and passion of the one DXB community – our people and partners – who work together to deliver seamless, world-class experiences that leave a lasting impression on every guest.”

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports and CEO of Emirates said, “Dubai International (DXB) is a global success story that reflects the UAE’s ability to transform bold ambitions into reality. Consistently ranked as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, its record annual passenger traffic this year is a testament to the relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence that continues to shape the UAE’s progress.”

FMI:  www.dubaiairports.ae/