DXB retains title as world’s busiest international airport in 2024

Dubai: Dubai International Airport (DXB) has again been recognised as the world's busiest international airport for 2024, maintaining its leading position with 60.2 million seats.

Aviation analytics company OAG has said this reflects a 7 per cent increase in airline capacity compared to 2023 and a 12 per cent rise from 2019 levels.

Dubai International has earned the second spot in the top ten busiest global airports of 2024 category. The top ten busiest global airports are calculated using total airline capacity (domestic and international flights), and the top ten busiest international airports are calculated using international airline capacity only. The rankings are based on scheduled one-way airline capacity for the year 2024, explained OAG.

Dubai Airports said DXB welcomed 44.9 million passengers in the first half of the year, noting strong demand from key markets such as India and the resurgence of China. Full-year DXB passenger traffic results will be released by airport authorities late January or early February.

Following DXB, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) secured second place with 48.4 million seats, marking a 4 per cent increase from 2023. Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) climbed to third place, offering 41.6 million seats—a substantial 24 per cent increase compared to 2023, though slightly below its 2019 capacity by 2 per cent.

In comparison to 2019, Istanbul Airport (IST) saw the largest growth in airline capacity, increasing by 20 per cent to 38.6 million seats and taking it to sixth place.

DXB's top destination countries included India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan. The airport is connected to 269 destinations across 106 countries and served by 101 international airlines. To accommodate growing passenger demand, in April 2024, the government of Dubai approved a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport—a $35 billion project set to become the world's largest airport with a capacity of up to 260 million passengers.

Dubai's aviation sector has been a cornerstone of its economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment.