His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: “Dubai Airport” is a success story that embodies the approach of excellence in shaping the future

Dubai International Airport has set a new standard in the global aviation sector, after receiving 92.3 million passengers in 2024, the highest annual traffic ever in the airport’s history.

This achievement surpasses the previous record of 89.1 million passengers achieved in 2018, and coincides with another historic achievement represented by the airport topping the list of the Airports Council International for the busiest international airports in the world for 10 years.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: “Dubai International Airport in 2024: The busiest international airport with 92 million passengers.. 440 thousand air movements… 106 airlines and flights to 272 cities in 107 countries around the world.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, said: “The UAE has pledged for decades to make the impossible its goal and an objective that it pursues with a spirit of challenge and determination to win and excel, which has become a fixed approach that has yielded achievements that have attracted the world’s appreciation and respect, and even its quest to draw inspiration from the UAE’s comprehensive and sustainable development experience.”

Commenting on the new global achievement of Dubai International Airport, His Highness said: “Dubai International Airport is a success story that embodies the approach of excellence that we follow in shaping the future. Receiving 92.3 million passengers last year, and maintaining its position as the world’s busiest international airport for 10 years, is an achievement that stems from the spirit of creativity and the constant pursuit of excellence that shapes the future of Dubai.

Our investment in enhancing the airport’s capabilities is a factor that confirms its role in achieving the ambitious goals included in Dubai’s economic agenda to be one of the top five logistics centers in the world, and to double its foreign trade by adding 400 cities to its foreign trade map.”

His Highness praised the qualitative efforts that yielded these honorable results, led by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, saying: “Dubai Airport’s record of the highest passenger traffic globally last year is an achievement that expresses our commitment to establishing the foundations of a world-class infrastructure, and reflects the dedicated efforts of work teams led with all efficiency and competence by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, confirming Dubai’s excellence in making travel through its airport an exceptional experience that inspires the world.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum added: “Today, we do not compete on numbers or classifications, but rather compete to always provide the best for humanity.. and to enhance Dubai’s position as a bridge that connects the world and supports its future opportunities.. and a pivotal center for innovation and communication.. Our message is that the sky is the limit of our ambitions.. and that the future always carries within it a new achievement that lives up to Dubai’s aspirations.”

Aviation Scene

His Highness said via the “X” platform yesterday: “Dubai International Airport, during the past ten years: more than 700 million passengers… the busiest international airport, according to the Airports Council International… 3.3 million air movements.” His Highness added: “Dubai International Airport in 2024: the busiest international airport with 92 million passengers… 440,000 air movements… 106 airlines and flights to 272 cities in 107 countries around the world.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum explained, “Dubai Airports during the next ten years: 128 billion dirhams to reshape the international aviation scene with Emirati standards,” that “Dubai is the airport of the world… and a new world in the aviation sector.”

A global destination

Dubai International Airport’s record performance was driven by continuous growth throughout the year, as the last quarter of the year ended in an exceptional manner that highlighted Dubai’s attractiveness as a global destination for tourism, business and investment.

December was the busiest month in 2024; Dubai International Airport served a total of 8.2 million passengers, confirming its position as a preferred airport for millions of travellers from around the world.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “Crossing the 92 million passenger mark is an exceptional achievement for Dubai International and the Emirate of Dubai as a whole, and reflects the tireless efforts, collaboration and passion of the oneDXB community, our employees and our partners, who work together to deliver seamless, world-class experiences that leave a lasting positive impression on travellers.”

He added: “This year’s results exceeded our expectations by nearly 200,000 passengers, which confirms the global appeal of Dubai International Looking ahead, we are confident of reaching the 100 million passenger mark by 2027, and our US$35 billion expansion plans for Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) will ensure that this growth is accommodated and a qualitative shift in tourism and travel.”

Key Indicators

Dubai International Airport (DXB) operates flights to 272 destinations in 107 countries, served by 106 international airlines, and continues to set new standards as one of the world’s leading airports for destinations.

DXB handled 2.2 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, up 20.5% from 1.8 million tonnes last year.

Total flight traffic increased by 5.7% in 2024 to reach 440,300 flights, with a load factor of 78.1, a marginal growth of 0.3% for the year.

DXB achieved a milestone in 2024 by handling 81.2 million bags, maintaining an industry-leading baggage success rate of 99.45%. The airport’s baggage failure rate was 5.5 bags per 1,000 passengers, beating the international average of 6.9 bags per 1,000 passengers, according to SITA data.

Dubai International has been ranked as the world’s busiest international airport by Airports Council International since 2014. Over the past decade, the airport has handled more than 700 million passengers on more than 3.3 million flights.