Dubai airport clocks record 92.3m passengers, extending hot streak

A record 92.3 million passengers traveled through Dubai International Airport in 2023, the airport’s operator said Thursday, surpassing its previous high of 89.1 million in 2018.

The milestone underscores Dubai’s rapid economic growth despite regional tensions, including the Gaza war and severe floods last April that disrupted flights.

The city, strategically located between Asia, Europe, and Africa, has now maintained its status as the world’s busiest international airport for a decade.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said the airport continues to benefit from the city's swift reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic, when its flagship carrier, Emirates, was among the first to reactivate its fleet.

“We were like a coiled spring ready to respond as soon as the market recovered,” Griffiths told The Associated Press. “We’ve been able to get back to capacity, encourage new airlines, and see double-digit growth from most sectors.”

Aviation boosts Dubai's economy

Dubai’s aviation sector, including Emirates and Dubai Airports, accounted for 27% of the city’s GDP in 2023, according to an economic impact report published in October.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship between the health of the aviation sector and the health of the city’s economy,” Griffiths said.

Passenger numbers at Dubai International outpaced pre-pandemic levels, with a record-breaking first half of 2024 followed by 8.2 million travelers in December, the airport’s busiest month.

Global demand and competitive edge

Dubai is benefiting from the slow recovery of rival airlines and airports, many of which face delays in acquiring new aircraft.

“If you retired entire fleets, your ability to recover depends on new aircraft acquisitions,” Griffiths said. “And with the supply challenges from Boeing and Airbus, lead times are now the longest they’ve ever been.”

Dubai’s ruler and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the airport is aiming to increase its destinations from 272 to 400 worldwide.

New airport ‘a game-changer'

As Saudi Arabia builds a major new airport in Riyadh, Dubai is planning a $35 billion expansion, eventually relocating operations to Al Maktoum International Airport on the city's outskirts.

“That will be a game-changer for the city and the world,” Griffiths said. “It will give us the capacity we need to continue expanding flights and fleets.”

Griffiths said he is confident Dubai will surpass 100 million passengers by 2027 before transitioning to Al Maktoum International in 2032. The new airport, expected to be the world's largest, will eventually accommodate 240 million passengers annually.