Dubai International (DXB) has retained its title as the world’s busiest international airport in 2023, with an impressive 56.5 million seats, surpassing its previous records. This achievement was highlighted in a recent report by aviation consultancy OAG.
DXB, which also led the rankings in 2022 and 2019, experienced a significant 25% increase in seating capacity this year, rising from 53.98 million in 2022. This growth indicates a robust recovery and expansion in the aviation sector.
The surge in traffic at Dubai Airports is expected to continue, with projections suggesting that the annual passenger count could exceed the pre-pandemic high of 86.8 million. The latter part of 2023 saw monthly traffic averaging 7.6 million, aligning with pre-COVID levels, particularly in the third quarter.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, expressed confidence in maintaining this upward trajectory, anticipating surpassing pre-pandemic levels sooner than initially projected.
The rebound of the travel and tourism sector, particularly in Dubai, has played a pivotal role in this resurgence, thanks in part to effective management of the COVID-19 crisis.
Close behind DXB, London Heathrow Airport ranked second with 46.5 million seats, followed by Amsterdam Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Singapore’s Changi International Airport, among others. Notably, OAG also recognized Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as the world’s busiest airport in terms of total seats, surpassing DXB.
In the realm of busy routes, the Dubai-Riyadh route was the 6th most trafficked in 2023, marking a slight drop from its previous ranking.
The top routes of 2023, in terms of seating capacity, included Kuala Lumpur-Singapore, Cairo-Jeddah, and Hong Kong-Taipei, showcasing the diverse and dynamic nature of global air travel today.