Dubai International Airport (DXB) has reported its busiest quarter ever, solidifying its status as a major global aviation hub and an essential component of both Dubai’s economy and the aviation sector in the Middle East.
In the first quarter of the year, DXB experienced a notable increase in traffic, with 23 million passengers traversing its terminals, an 8.4% rise compared to the same period last year. This growth highlights the airport’s appeal to significant markets and its role in bolstering Dubai as a prime international destination for tourism and commerce. January saw the highest traffic with 7.9 million guests.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of DXB, stated, “The robust growth trajectory at DXB continued in the first quarter of the year, recording some truly impressive numbers. Thanks to the addition of new cities to our network by our home carriers Emirates and flydubai. As Dubai emerges as a global leader for attracting talent, businesses, and tourists, our focus remains on sustaining this growth momentum and enhancing the overall airport experience.”
With a strong start to the second quarter and a positive outlook for the remainder of the year, DXB has revised its annual passenger forecast to 91 million, aiming to surpass the previous record of 89.1 million set in 2018.
DXB is instrumental in driving Dubai’s economic growth and tourism, with the city seeing a 3.3% rise in real GDP valued at approximately AED 307.9 billion. The airport serves as Dubai’s primary gateway, enhancing its global stature as a business and logistics center.
The airport also caters to significant global travel demand, with India, Saudi Arabia, and the UK being top destination countries. The leading cities in terms of passenger numbers are London, Riyadh, and Jeddah.
In terms of operations, Q1 witnessed 109,238 total flight movements, an 8.3% increase year-on-year, with load factors reaching 79.1%. DXB also efficiently managed 26.8 million bags through its extensive baggage system, demonstrating its commitment to providing seamless travel experiences.