Dubai International Airport saw a record 44.9 million passengers in the first half of this year, solidifying its position as the world’s busiest airport for international travel. This impressive figure sets the stage for potentially surpassing its all-time passenger record, reflecting the robust recovery of aviation post-pandemic.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, follows a record annual profit for Emirates, the long-haul carrier based at DXB. Additionally, Dubai is preparing for the future with plans to transition operations to a nearly $35 billion new airport within the next decade.
The city’s booming real estate market and record tourism numbers have transformed Dubai from merely a layover spot into a prime destination for travelers worldwide.
“The record-breaking performance in the first half of this year highlights our strategic importance as a global aviation hub,” Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said in a statement.
“Dubai is at the forefront of global cities when it comes to attracting talent, businesses, and tourists from around the world — and we are proud to be the gateway to the city.” “We have a very optimistic outlook for the remainder of the year, and we are on track to break records with 91.8 million annual guests forecasted for 2024,” Griffiths further added.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has long been a key indicator for the global aviation industry and a reflection of Dubai’s economic vitality. The emirate and its flagship airline quickly rebounded from the pandemic by aggressively pursuing tourism, even as other nations lagged in recovery. This rapid resurgence has led to congestion at DXB, which was briefly closed during the pandemic but now struggles to handle the surge in traffic.bvc
In April, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, unveiled plans to transition DXB’s operations to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. Located about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of DXB, Al Maktoum International’s development had been stalled due to the 2009 economic crisis but is now set to advance.
The new airport will feature a distinctive terminal design inspired by traditional Bedouin tents and will include five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, a significant expansion from the two runways currently at DXB.
Since its opening in 2010 with a single terminal, Al Maktoum International has primarily served as a storage site for Emirates’ Airbus A380s and other aircraft during the pandemic. It has since resumed operations with cargo and private flights and hosts the Dubai Air Show. The surrounding desert offers ample space for future expansion.