Dubai International Airport Retains Title as World’s Busiest for International Travel in 2024

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again claimed the top spot as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic in 2024, according to the latest report by Airports Council International (ACI) World. The annual rankings, released today, highlight DXB’s continued dominance in global aviation, maintaining its lead for a tenth consecutive year.

DXB welcomed a record-breaking 92.3 million international passengers in 2024, surpassing its previous high of 89.1 million in 2018 and beating projections by nearly 200,000 travelers. This achievement underscores the airport’s continued recovery and growth post-pandemic, as well as its enduring appeal as a global transit hub.

The ACI report shows that global passenger traffic reached 9.5 billion in 2024 — a 9% increase from 2023 and a 3.8% rise above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The world’s 10 busiest airports collectively handled 855 million passengers, accounting for 9% of total global traffic and marking an 8.8% year-on-year growth.

While Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its position as the world’s busiest airport overall, Dubai International Airport ranked second, followed by Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

“Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity,” said Justin Erbacci, Director-General of ACI World. “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.”

DXB continues to distinguish itself not only through passenger numbers but also in connectivity and cargo handling. The airport now connects to 272 destinations in 107 countries via 106 international airlines, further solidifying its position as one of the world’s most globally connected aviation hubs.

Cargo operations at DXB saw significant growth, with 2.2 million tonnes of freight handled in 2024 — a sharp 20.5% increase from the 1.8 million tonnes recorded the previous year. The airport also experienced a 5.7% rise in flight movements, totaling 440,300 for the year, while maintaining a healthy load factor of 78.1%.

Over the past decade, DXB has served more than 700 million passengers across over 3.3 million flights. Since 2014, it has consistently topped ACI’s rankings as the world’s busiest international airport.

As the global aviation industry continues to rebound and evolve, DXB’s performance in 2024 reinforces its status as a leading hub of international travel and trade, playing a pivotal role in connecting people, businesses, and cultures across the globe.