Dubai maintains status as globe's leading airport for international travelers
In a significant development for the global aviation industry, Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again secured its position as the world's busiest international airport for the second consecutive year. This conclusion is drawn from the 2025 Edition of the World Airport Traffic Dataset, the industry's most comprehensive and authoritative resource for global airport rankings, released on Wednesday.
The dataset, compiled by ACI World, is built from over 2,800 airports across 185+ countries and territories. According to the report, DXB welcomed 92.3 million passengers in 2024, marking the highest annual traffic in its history and reflecting strong demand. Atlanta (ATL) topped the global ranking for overall passenger traffic in 2024.
The continued growth of DXB can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the strategic vision and expansion of Dubai Airports, the operator of both DXB and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), have played a significant role. The company's plans aim to balance stakeholder interests, maintain operational resilience, and enhance customer experience while ensuring sustainability.
The development of DWC, envisioned to complement DXB’s growth, is another significant factor. With massive expansion plans, including a $35 billion investment, DWC is aiming to accommodate up to 150 million passengers annually over the next decade and eventually up to 260 million, supported by five runways and advanced intermodal connectivity.
Dubai's commitment to innovation is also evident in its focus on developing new aviation sectors and integrating advanced technologies, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The city's collaboration with companies like Joby Aviation underscores its forward-looking approach to urban air mobility and next-generation air travel technologies.
In addition to its success in passenger traffic, DXB has also made significant strides in cargo operations. The airport ascended in global cargo rankings from 17th to 11th in 2024, underlining Dubai’s expanding role as a crucial cargo logistics hub. This growth is supported by world-class infrastructure including Jebel Ali Port and free zones.
Dubai's geographic position as a global trade and logistics nexus, combined with its expanding cold chain and pharmaceutical logistics markets, further bolster DXB’s role in handling specialized cargo and facilitating international commerce.
The 2025 Edition of the World Airport Traffic Dataset provides a comprehensive snapshot of global air transport demand and activity over the past year. The global passenger traffic in 2024 is 2.7% above pre-pandemic levels (2019), surpassing 9.4 billion travellers, a 8.4% increase from 2023. The top 20 airports processed 1.54 billion passengers, capturing 16% of global traffic.
Following DXB in the airport rankings were London (LHR), Korea (ICN), Singapore (SIN), Amsterdam (AMS) and Paris CDG. The dataset, however, does not provide specific information about the change in rank of Dubai International Airport from 2023 to 2024, the number of passengers handled by Dubai International Airport in 2024, or the air cargo rankings for Dubai International Airport in 2024.
Despite these gaps, the data underscores Dubai International Airport's sustained ascent as a leading global aviation hub, driven by historical passenger records, ambitious expansion plans, cargo growth, technological innovation, and strategic location.
- The strategic expansion plans of Dubai Airports, such as the massive development of Dubai World Central (DWC), have contributed significantly to the improvement of DXB's index in the global aviation sector, aiming to accommodate over 150 million passengers annually in the coming decade.
- The continued growth and success of Dubai International Airport (DXB) in both passenger traffic and cargo operations have not only solidified its position as one of the world's busiest international airports and a significant hub for global aviation, but also enhanced its lifestyle as a bustling transit point for international travelers and cargo, underpinned by its geographic position as a global trade and logistics nexus.
