DXB World’s Busiest Airport for International Passengers in 2024
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Global Business Magazine- 5 minutes read
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers for the 11th consecutive year with 92.33 million guests in 2024, according to Airports Council International (ACI).
According to preliminary figures, the 2024 global passengers were close to 9.5 billion, representing an increase of 9% from 2023 or a gain of 3.8% from pre-pandemic levels (2019). The Top 10 busiest airports, representing 9% of global traffic (855 million passengers), witnessed a gain of 8.8% from 2023 and a gain of 8.4% vis-à-vis their 2019 results (789 million passengers in 2019).
In its latest report entitled World’s Busiest Airports in 2024,” which was released on Monday, ACI also said that with 108 million passengers, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport defended its top position, followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, both in the US.
The biggest jump in the Top 10 rankings was recorded for Shanghai Pudong International Airport, going from 21st position in 2023 to the 10th spot in 2024. The jump was fueled by expanded visa policies, the resumption and expansion of international flights, operational enhancements, and the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China.
The unwavering strength of Istanbul Airport and New Delhi International Airport keep them in top ranks, marking significant progress over 2019. Both airports have been thriving due to airline expansion, infrastructure growth, and enhanced global connectivity.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said that they not only extended their decade-long hold on the top spot but also set a new global benchmark for international traffic at a single airport.
“It is a proud moment for Dubai Airports and for the entire oneDXB community, whose collaboration and extraordinary efforts continue to shape the way we welcome the world and deliver a guest experience that reflects the spirit of this city,” Griffiths said.
The development of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International is already underway, bringing with it the opportunity not just to expand capacity, but to completely rethink airport design and reimagine the travel experience itself, he added.
The ACI report also said that air cargo volumes were estimated to have increased by 8.4% y-o-y (+3.9% versus 2019) to over 124 million metric tonnes in 2024.
ACI World Director-General Justin Erbacci said: “Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity. As air travel grows, ACI World stands ready to support its members, ensuring the smooth flow of people and goods that drive global economic, social, and cultural progress.”
Forecast for 2025
In 2025, global passenger traffic is forecast to reach 9.9 billion with a 4.8% year-over-year growth rate. While passenger demand remains strong, the pace of expansion is expected to slow as markets shift from recovery-driven surges to structural, long-term growth patterns.
Key challenges such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and capacity constraints are expected to increasingly shape the industry’s trajectory. In advanced markets, demand stabilisation, supply chain bottlenecks in aircraft production and airport capacity shortage may temper growth, while in emerging markets, higher infrastructure investment and rising middle-class travel demand will likely continue to drive expansion.
As the industry moves into a new era of growth, the airport industry must focus on financial viability, investment in infrastructure, operational efficiency, and sustainability, the ACI report said.
