DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — It was announced on Thursday that Dubai International Airport, recognized as the foremost global hub for international travelers, welcomed an impressive 92.3 million passengers in 2024. This remarkable achievement marks a significant recovery from the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, eclipsing the previous record of 89.1 million set in 2018 for the first time. Currently, the airport is experiencing a palpable surge in activity, with a bustling atmosphere characterized by frequent aircraft movements and throngs of passengers navigating through its expansive terminals.
Plans are underway to transition operations to Dubai’s second airport by 2032, following a substantial upgrade estimated to cost nearly $35 billion. The operator of the airport, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, shared these new passenger statistics on X, highlighting the pivotal role the state-owned airport plays as the base for the long-haul carrier Emirates, which underpins a vast network of state-associated businesses known as “Dubai Inc.”
Sheikh Mohammed described Dubai as “the airport of the world” and emphasized its role as an innovative force in the aviation industry. Speaking with officials from the airport, Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports, commented on the massive volume of over 700 million passengers served by the airport over the past decade, nearly double the population of the United States.
Griffiths declared that the 2024 passenger figure not only sets a new record for Dubai but also establishes a global benchmark for international passenger traffic through any airport worldwide. He noted with satisfaction that this record was achieved with just two runways constrained within a relatively unchanged geographical area. In comparison, the airport accommodated 86.9 million passengers in 2023, up from 86.3 million in 2019. The airport recorded its highest traffic in 2018 with 89.1 million passengers and saw a total of 66 million travelers in 2022.
India continues to be the leading origin market for passengers at DXB, reporting 12 million travelers. Following closely are Saudi Arabia with 7.6 million and the United Kingdom with 6.2 million. Both DXB and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) together facilitate 106 airlines that connect to 272 global cities across 107 nations.
The city of Dubai is currently experiencing substantial growth in real estate and tourism, transforming it into a sought-after destination and stopover hub. However, with this surge comes challenges, including increased traffic congestion and rising costs impacting both local Emirati citizens and the expatriates who contribute significantly to the economy.
The strategic plan involves relocating airport operations to Al Maktoum International Airport, located approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) from DXB. Established in 2010 with a single terminal, DWC previously served as a storage space for Emirates’ A380 aircraft during the pandemic but is gradually resuming activity with various flight operations. The airport is also home to the biennial Dubai Air Show and boasts considerable arid surroundings for potential expansion.
Griffiths outlined intentions to shift Emirates operations, including its budget airline FlyDubai, to DWC by 2032. Rendered visuals depict a striking terminal design resembling traditional Bedouin tents of the Arabian Peninsula. Plans include the construction of five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates.
With DXB already employing smart gate technology for facial recognition to expedite immigration, Griffiths noted that designing DWC would allow for a reimagining of conventional airport layouts, merging functions such as ticketing and security checks into a more seamless experience for travelers. He envision it as an extraordinarily user-friendly venue, akin to a well-structured railway station, where passengers can enjoy shopping, dining, and lounge access immediately after passing through the gate.
Dubai’s airport has maintained a leading position compared to its historical competitor, London’s Heathrow Airport, for the past decade. Recently, the U.K. government approved plans for a third runway at Heathrow, an ongoing point of contention. Nevertheless, Griffiths expressed assurance that Dubai would continue to maintain its leadership in the sector.
“I would wager that by the time the second phase of DWC opens, they will still be discussing the third runway at Heathrow without any construction having commenced,” he stated confidently.
