Dubai declared “global success” with record breaking 92.3m passengers in 2024
January 30, 2025
Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, celebrates Dubai International Airport (DXB) retaining its crown as the world’s busiest international airport for more than a decade.
“Dubai International is a global success story that reflects the UAE’s ability to transform bold ambitions into reality,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “Its record annual passenger traffic is a testament to the relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence that continues to shape the UAE’s progress.”
World’s busiest airport
Having welcomed a record-breaking 92.3 million passengers in 2024, DXB has consistently been listed by the Airports Council International (ACI) as the world’s busiest airport since 2014. In addition to passenger traffic, the airport also handled 2.2 million tonnes of cargo last year, an impressive increase of 20.5% from the previous year. The number of flight movements also increased (+5,7%) to 440,300 with a load factor of 78.1.
Last year’s record-breaking performance was driven by sustained growth capped by an impressive fourth quarter, with December seeing 8.2 million guests pass through the airport’s terminals.
With the airport looking ahead to a new era as it plans to transition all operations over to Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum (DWC) in 2032 after a nearly US$35 billion upgrade, Sheikh Mohammed added that the “sustained investment in enhancing the airport’s capabilities contributes to our ability to achieve ambitious goals such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s targets of becoming one of the world’s top five logistics hubs and doubling foreign trade by expanding connections to 400 new cities.”
He also emphasised that beyond the rankings, the airport aims to provide “exceptional value to the world.” As Dubai seeks to strengthen its position as a global bridge between markets and cultures and provide a hub for connectivity and innovation, the airport’s future “promises even greater milestones, each a step closer to realising Dubai’s bold vision.”
On track for 100 million passengers
Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths, noted that the 2024 results exceeded earlier forecasts by almost 200,000 customers, as he remarked he was confident in reaching the 100 million passenger mark by 2027.
Looking ahead, he said: “Our expansion plans for DWC will ensure we not only accommodate this growth but also allow Dubai Airports to redefine what it means to travel. This mega-project will give us the opportunity to incorporate the latest thinking in 21st Century airport design, gleaned from delivering the very best service to the more than 700 million customers that have passed through DXB over the last decade.”
He added that the experience gleaned from being the world’s largest international airport for the last decade will “make Dubai an even more compelling destination.”
Speaking to The Associated Press, Griffiths also pointed out that the “great thing ” about the airport’s record-breaking traffic in 2024 is that it was achieved with “two runways on a very limited geographical footprint, which hasn’t really changed at all.”
Commenting on the controversial proposal for a third runway at its traditional rival for international travel, London Heathrow, Griffith’s remains confident Dubai will remain in control. “I wouldn’t mind betting that when DWC Phase 2 opens, they’ll still be talking about Heathrow runway three and no spade will have gone into the ground,” he told The Associated Press.
Seamless passenger experience
Despite its growth in passenger traffic, DXB has not compromised on the passenger experience, according to technology giant SITA. It’s findings show that the airport handled 81.2 million bags with an industry success rate of 99.45%, which translates to 5.5 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers versus the industry standard of 6.9 bags/ 1000 passengers. In addition, 98.2% of travellers waited less than 10 minutes at departure passport control and 99.2% of guests waited under five minutes at security.
