Dubai International (DXB) records 68.6 million passenger arrivals from Jan-Sept 2024

Image Source – Dubai Airports

Dubai International (DXB) Airport is set to break the traffic record for welcoming international passengers, driven by strong performance in the first nine months of 2024. By the end of September, Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 68.6 million guests at the airport. Furthermore, the annual passenger traffic at Dubai Airport is expected to cross 91.9 million passenger arrivals by the year-end which is nearly 5 million more compared to 2023. With the high-traffic winter season approaching, this accomplishment paves the way for a strong finish to 2024. The CEO of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, stressed the commitment to investing in customer service and technology to continue delivering exceptional experiences for all passengers.

2024 Major Trends at Dubai International (DXB) 

A major trend in 2024 is the rise of direct traffic as more passengers continue arriving on non-transfer flights as compared to previous years. This change in attitude is attributed to Dubai’s growing appeal as a premier destination for Bleasure (Business, leisure & Tourism) as well as residential living. This passenger growth is also attributed to strategic partnerships, promotion of the open skies policy, and 189 air transport agreements with countries globally enabling UAE’s national carriers to expand into new markets.

Q3 2024 Highlights Impressive Performance

The momentum from the first half of the year carried into Q3 as DXB welcomed 23.7 million passengers which accounts for 6.3% growth as compared to the same period in 2023. During Q3, DXB also handled 111,300 flights and a total of 327,700 in the first nine months which was an increase of 6.4% on a y-o-y basis.

Top 4 International Passenger Arrivals by Countries – DXB Airport

The top four international passenger arrivals in 2024 include India, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Pakistan. In the first nine months, 8.9 million passengers arrived from India while 5.6 million from Saudi Arabia. Likewise, 4.6 million passengers arrived from the UK whereas 3.4 million from Pakistan, 2.6 million from the US, and 2 million from Germany. 

Future Outlook – Passenger Arrivals in Dubai

In Q4, DXB expects to welcome 23.2 million passengers on account of the festive season wherein Dubai attracts tourists for its famous winter attractions which usually leads to a surge in traffic. This includes New Year celebrations which top the list for many travelers worldwide. Compared to Q3, 2023, 60% of the Q4 traffic is expected to be direct and 55% for the full year. 

According to Airports Council International (ACI), DXB has been declared the busiest international airport in the world for the tenth year running. This acknowledgement combined with strong performance in 2024 ensures a positive growth outlook for DXB in 2025 as Dubai remains the most searched travel destination globally.