Dubai Keeps Crown as World’s Busiest Airport for 11th Year
- Publish date: Tuesday، 15 April 2025
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again claimed the title of the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic in 2024 — for the 11th consecutive year.
According to preliminary figures released by Airports Council International (ACI) World, DXB welcomed a massive 92.3 million international passengers last year, marking a 6.1% increase from 2023.
The Gulf travel hub, home to Emirates Airline, topped major competitors like London Heathrow, Seoul Incheon, Singapore Changi, and Amsterdam Schiphol.
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A Booming Year for Global Travel
Global passenger numbers in 2024 hit nearly 5 billion, up 9% from 2023 and 3.8% higher than pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The top 10 airports handled 855 million passengers combined, nearly 9% of total global traffic.
Including both international and domestic travel, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport retained the overall top spot with 108.1 million passengers. Dubai followed in second, with Dallas-Fort Worth in third.
On the cargo front, Hong Kong International Airport held the lead, handling 4.9 million metric tonnes. Shanghai came in second, overtaking Memphis.
What’s Ahead for Aviation
While 2024 was a big year, ACI cautions that growth could slow in 2025. Nearly 10 billion passengers are expected to fly, but challenges like economic uncertainty, airline capacity issues, and geopolitical risks may impact momentum.
Still, for now, Dubai stands tall, not just as the busiest hub for international travel, but as a global symbol of resilience, growth, and innovation in aviation.