Dubai International Airport Welcomes Over 44.9 Million Passengers in H1 2024
In an impressive display of resilience and growth, Dubai International Airport (DXB) has reported that more than 44.9 million passengers traveled through its terminals in the first half of 2024. This marks an 8% increase compared to last year’s record-breaking figures for the same period. From January to June, DXB, recognized as the world’s busiest airport, successfully managed an influx of travelers despite facing significant challenges, including the worst storm in the history of the United Arab Emirates in April.
The storm wreaked havoc on both runways and surrounding roads, leading to over 1,000 flight cancellations and 61 flights being rerouted within just two days. Yet, DXB continued to thrive, welcoming a staggering 44.9 million travelers through its gates. In a tweet shared on August 7, 2024, DXB celebrated this milestone: “44.9 million 😅🎉 That’s how many travelers we welcomed through the doors of #DXB in just the first half of this year! ✈️ It’s been 6 months filled with millions of smiles crafted, unforgettable guest experiences, and more!”
From April to June alone, DXB recorded 21.8 million passengers, reflecting a 7.5% growth compared to the same period in 2023. The remarkable rise in passenger numbers is largely attributed to a surge in demand from China. During the first half of the year, over a million passengers from China traveled through Dubai International Airport, representing an astounding 80% increase from 2023 and a 90% recovery rate compared to pre-COVID figures.
As Emirates Airlines continues to operate out of DXB, the airport is on track to surpass its previous record of 91.8 million passengers by the end of the year, buoyed by the busy winter and July travel seasons. Throughout the first half of 2024, the airport also recorded a total of 216,000 flight movements, which is a 7.2% increase over the same period last year. January stood out as the busiest month, witnessing 7.9 million visitors.
Among the travelers, 44% used Dubai as a connecting hub, while 56% were flying directly to the city.
The Top Destination Countries in 2024
- India: 6.2 million guests
- Saudi Arabia: 3.7 million guests
- United Kingdom: 2.9 million guests
- Pakistan: 2.3 million guests
- USA: 1.7 million guests
- Russia: 1.3 million guests
- Germany: 1.3 million guests
Top Three Destination Cities in 2024
- London: 1.8 million guests
- Riyadh: 1.6 million guests
- Mumbai: 1.2 million guests
Dubai International Airport remains a vital link, connecting travelers to 269 destinations across 106 countries, serviced by 101 international airlines. This extensive network reinforces Dubai’s status as a leading global business and logistics hub.
What’s Next for Dubai Airports?
In an exciting development, it was announced that all flights in and out of Dubai will transition to Al Maktoum International Airport. This significant announcement, made on April 28, 2024, outlines a Dhs128 billion project that will ultimately make the new airport five times larger than the existing Dubai International Airport. Currently, the existing airport, also known as Dubai World Central, caters to only a small fraction of its future capacity, which is planned to accommodate 260 million passengers.
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