Dubai International Airport Sets New Record With 92.3 Million Passengers In 2024

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has achieved a significant milestone by welcoming 92.3 million passengers in 2024, marking the highest annual traffic in its history. This surpasses the previous record of 89.1 million set in 2018. The achievement coincides with DXB's decade-long reign as the world's busiest international airport according to Airports Council International (ACI).

December was particularly notable, with 8.2 million travellers choosing DXB, reinforcing its status as a preferred global hub. This success underscores Dubai's appeal as a destination for travel, business, and investment.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised this accomplishment, stating, "Dubai International (DXB) is a global success story that reflects the UAE’s ability to transform bold ambitions into reality." He highlighted the airport's consistent ranking as the busiest for international passengers and its record-breaking passenger traffic as evidence of the UAE's commitment to innovation and excellence.

The airport's growth was driven by sustained increases throughout the year, culminating in an exceptional final quarter. This performance is attributed to Dubai's magnetic allure as a global destination.

Sheikh Mohammed also commended the teams led by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for their role in this success. He emphasised that Dubai aims to provide exceptional value globally and strengthen its position as a bridge between markets and cultures.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, remarked on this achievement: "Crossing the 92 million mark is a monumental achievement for DXB and for Dubai." He credited the oneDXB community for their dedication in delivering world-class experiences.

Infrastructure Investments

The airport handled 81.2 million bags with an industry-leading success rate of 99.45%, translating to just 5.5 mishandled bags per 1,000 guests. Despite increased passenger numbers, passport control wait times remained efficient.

Looking ahead, Griffiths expressed confidence in reaching 100 million annual guests by 2027. The $35 billion expansion plans for Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) aim to accommodate this growth and redefine travel experiences.

Operational Excellence

DXB maintained connections to 272 destinations across 107 countries served by 106 airlines, reinforcing its status as one of the most connected airports globally. Flight movements increased by 5.7% in 2024, reaching 440,300 with a load factor of 78.1%.

The airport handled 2.2 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s figures. This operational excellence is part of DXB's ongoing commitment to quality and innovation.

A Decade of Leadership

Since leading ACI rankings from 2014 onwards, DXB has welcomed over 700 million guests on more than 3.3 million flights over ten years. This journey has been defined by operational innovation and quality service delivery.

"This achievement isn’t just about numbers," Griffiths added. "It’s about the people who make it possible –the dedication of our team...and the trust of millions who choose DXB year after year."

As DXB celebrates its record-breaking year in 2024, it looks forward to future successes with ongoing infrastructure investments and major global events on the horizon.

With inputs from WAM