Dubai International Airport (DXB) has reaffirmed its position as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic, welcoming 92.3 million travellers in 2024, according to preliminary data released by Airports Council International (ACI) World. This marks the 11th consecutive year Dubai has topped the international rankings, extending its lead over other major global hubs like London Heathrow, Seoul Incheon, Singapore Changi, and Amsterdam Schiphol.
The 2024 figures reflect a 6.1% increase from 2023 and a 7% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Dubai’s aviation sector continues to thrive amid a broader global recovery in air travel, powered by strong demand for long-haul connectivity, a strategic location between East and West, and the dominance of Emirates airline.
A Hub Beyond the Numbers
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, hailed the milestone as a “new global benchmark” for international passenger traffic at a single airport. “This achievement is about more than numbers. It reflects the extraordinary power of Dubai as a destination – for tourism, trade, business, and as a home,” he said in a statement to Gulf News.
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He also noted that the focus remains on the future, with plans for the expansion of Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central already underway. The new airport is expected to dramatically increase capacity and reshape the global air travel experience.
Global Aviation Recovers but Faces Headwinds
ACI’s report reveals that the top 10 international airports collectively handled 855 million passengers in 2024, representing 9% of global traffic and an 8.8% year-on-year increase. Passenger traffic worldwide approached 9.5 billion, up 9% from 2023 and 3.8% higher than 2019 levels.
However, ACI warned that this growth may moderate in 2025, with forecasts of 9.9 billion passengers and a 4.8% growth rate. Contributing factors include supply chain disruptions, rising operational costs, airline capacity constraints, and geopolitical tensions that may impact flight routes and travel demand.
Top International Airports in 2024
Following Dubai, the other busiest international airports by passenger traffic were:
- London Heathrow (UK) – 79.2 million
- Incheon (South Korea) – 70.7 million
- Singapore Changi (Singapore) – 67.1 million
- Amsterdam Schiphol (Netherlands) – 66.8 million
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) – 64.5 million
- Istanbul (Turkey) – 63 million
- Frankfurt (Germany) – 56.2 million
- Hong Kong – 52.9 million
- Doha (Qatar) – 52.7 million
Notably, Hong Kong and Doha saw some of the highest percentage growths, driven by eased travel restrictions and strong regional recoveries.
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In the overall global ranking – which includes domestic and international passengers – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the U.S. held on to the top spot with 108.1 million travellers. Dubai came in second, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth (87.8 million), Tokyo Haneda (85.9 million), and London Heathrow (83.9 million).