Key Takeaways:
- The month of December emerged as the busiest month of 2024, with 8.2 million guests choosing DXB as their gateway and destination, reaffirming its position as the airport of choice for millions worldwide.
- The year 2024 results exceeded the forecast by almost 200,000 in guest numbers, underscoring the strength of DXB’s global appeal.
- By 2027, Dubai Airport is confident in reaching the milestone of 100 million annual guests.
Dubai International (DXB) has set a new benchmark in global aviation, welcoming 92.3 million guests in 2024 – the highest annual traffic ever recorded in its history. This milestone surpasses the previous record of 89.1 million achieved in 2018 and coincides with a landmark achievement: a decade of DXB leading the Airports Council International’s (ACI) list of the world’s busiest international airports.
This record-breaking performance was driven by sustained growth throughout the year, capped by an extraordinary final quarter that highlighted Dubai’s magnetic appeal as a global destination for travel, business, and investment. December emerged as the busiest month of 2024, with 8.2 million guests choosing DXB as their gateway and destination, reaffirming its position as the airport of choice for millions worldwide.
Commenting on the achievement, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: "Dubai International (DXB) is a global success story that reflects the UAE’s ability to transform bold ambitions into reality. Consistently ranked as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, its record annual passenger traffic this year is a testament to the relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence that continues to shape the UAE’s progress."
New benchmarks
With connections to 272 destinations across 107 countries served by 106 international airlines, DXB continues to set the standard as one of the world’s most connected airports.
DXB handled 2.2 million tonnes of cargo during 2024, a sharp increase of 20.5% from last year when the hub registered 1.8 million tonnes in annual cargo.
The number of all flight movements increased by 5.7% in 2024 to reach 440,300, with a load factor of 78.1, a marginal growth of 0.3% for the year.
Operational excellence
DXB achieved an incredible milestone in 2024 by handling 81.2 million bags while maintaining an industry-leading success rate of 99.45%. This translates to just 5.5 mishandled bags per 1,000 guests, beating the international standard of 6.9 bags/1000 guests as reported by SITA. Despite the massive surge in guest numbers, 98.2% of guests waited less than 10 minutes at departure passport control and 99.2% guests waited under five minutes at security.
Since 2014, DXB has led the ACI rankings as the world’s busiest international airport. Over the past decade, it has welcomed more than 700 million guests on over 3.3 million flights. This remarkable journey has been defined by operational innovation, a dedication to quality, and the collective spirit of the oneDXB community. A community that is frequently recognised for delivering exceptional guest experiences at the oneDXB Chairman’s Awards.
“This achievement isn’t just about numbers,” Griffiths added. “It’s about the people who make it possible –the dedication of our team, the seamless collaboration with our partners, and the trust of the millions of guests who choose DXB year after year. Together, we are shaping the future of air travel.”
As DXB celebrates its record-breaking 2024, it is already setting its sights on the future. With Dubai’s renowned winter season, major global events, and ongoing infrastructure investments, DXB is poised to build on its success in 2025 and beyond. The airport’s unwavering focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences ensures its place as the world’s most connected and preferred global hub.