Dubai International Airport (DXB) recorded its busiest quarter in history this year as it welcomed over 23 million guests, an 8.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
This growth affirms the airport’s role as a global aviation hub and a key driver of Dubai’s economy and Middle East’s aviation sector.
Total passenger traffic for the quarter reached 23,052,060 guests, with January recording the highest traffic at 7.9 million passengers.
“The robust growth trajectory at DXB continued in the first quarter of the year, with the hub recording some truly impressive numbers. Thanks in part to the proliferation of cities being added to our network by our home base carriers Emirates and flydubai, in recent months,” DXB CEO Paul Griffiths said.
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“As Dubai emerges as a global leader for attracting talent, businesses and tourists from across the globe, our focus remains on sustaining growth momentum and enhancing the overall airport experience for every guest passing through our terminals. With a strong start to Q2 and an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year, we have revised our forecast for the year to 91 million guests, surpassing our previous annual traffic record of 89.1 million in 2018,” he said. The airport had welcomed 87 million passengers in 2023.
Aviation’s contribution to Dubai economy
DXB drives Dubai’s economic growth and tourism, with the city registering a 3.3 percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) valued at approximately AED307.9 billion. The airport’s efficient handling of ever-increasing passenger traffic and high cargo volumes supports the emirate’s diversified economy. With connections to 256 destinations across 102 countries through 90 international carriers, DXB strengthens Dubai’s position as a global business and logistics hub.
Top destinations
India remained Dubai International’s top destination country, with passenger traffic reaching 3.1 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia (2 million), the UK (1.5 million), and Pakistan (1.1 million). Other significant contributors include the US (836,000 guests), Russia (725,000) and Germany (728,000). Top cities by passenger numbers include London with 961,000 guests, Riyadh (795,000), and Jeddah (669,000), followed closely by Mumbai with 637,000 guests.
Other key figures
Q1 saw 109,238 total flight movements, an 8.3 percent year-on-year increase. With load factors reaching 79.1 percent in the first quarter, the passenger per aircraft movement reached 217, a minor change from 220 per aircraft recorded during the same period in 2023.
DXB managed 26.8 million bags through its extensive baggage system during the first quarter, showcasing its operational excellence and commitment to seamless travel experiences.
World’s busiest airport
In April this year, Airports Council International (ACI) ranked Dubai International as the world’s busiest international airport for the 10th year running.
“DXB is proud to uphold its status as the world’s foremost international airport for an unparalleled 10 years. Throughout this decade, DXB has surpassed many records and attained numerous milestones, from welcoming our billionth passenger to introducing new terminals and facilities, collaborating with numerous airlines to broaden connectivity to diverse global destinations, all the while enhancing every aspect of the airport experience for our guests,” Griffiths said earlier.
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