Dubai International Airport set a new milestone in 2024, handling a record 92.3 million passengers, surpassing its previous peak of 89.1 million in 2018, according to Dubai Airports. This achievement comes despite challenges such as regional tensions from the Gaza conflict and last April’s unprecedented floods that disrupted operations.
The bustling hub, strategically located between Asia, Europe, and Africa, has now held the title of the world’s busiest international airport for a decade.
In a statement, Dubai’s ruler and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum hailed the airport as a “global success story” and announced plans to expand its network to 400 international destinations, up from the current 272.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths expressed confidence that the airport could surpass 100 million passengers by 2027.
With the rise of competition from a major new airport under construction in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dubai is also planning a $35 billion expansion and relocation of operations to Al Maktoum International, located on the city’s outskirts.
The city, a hub for trade, tourism, and business, continues to see record real-estate prices and rapid population growth, driven by the UAE’s push to diversify its economy beyond oil.
