Dubai International Airport (DXB) is on a firm growth path to surpass its pre-pandemic passenger record, with 91 million travellers expected by the end of 2024. Despite a temporary disruption caused by heavy April rains, DXB has remained firmly on track toward that milestone.
Record Q1 Sets the Pace
DXB welcomed 23 million passengers in the first quarter of 2024 — its busiest quarter in history — representing an 8.4% year-on-year increase. That strong start to the year prompted Dubai Airports to raise its full-year forecast.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, confirmed the revised target: "With a strong start to Q2 and an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year, we have revised our forecast for the year to 91 million guests, surpassing our previous annual traffic record of 89.1 million in 2018."
Emirates and flydubai Fuel the Growth
The expansion of Dubai's two home carriers has been a key driver of the surge in Dubai International Airport 2024 passenger numbers. Emirates added capacity to 29 destinations, restarted Tokyo Haneda services, and launched new daily flights to Montreal during its financial year ending March 2024. flydubai added five new destinations — Al Jouf, Langkawi, Mombasa, Penang, and The Red Sea — further broadening DXB's global reach.
Together, the two carriers account for roughly two-thirds of DXB's total passenger traffic, making their network growth directly linked to the airport's record ambitions.
DXB's Role in Dubai's Economy
Dubai International Airport is more than an aviation hub — it is a core engine of Dubai's economy and its tourism industry. The airport's ability to connect major markets worldwide underpins the city's position as a global business and leisure destination. Sustained passenger growth reinforces that strategic importance.
Al Maktoum Expansion Planned
To accommodate rising long-term demand, Dubai has approved a landmark AED 128 billion ($34.85 billion) expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The new terminal will feature four concourses, 400 gates, and five parallel runways, giving DWC an eventual capacity of 260 million passengers annually. Both Emirates and flydubai are expected to relocate their operations to DWC by 2032.
Quality Service Remains Central
As DXB pushes toward its 2024 milestone, Griffiths has underscored that passenger volumes must be matched by quality. Customer experience and service standards remain a priority as the airport scales, ensuring that growth does not come at the cost of the traveller experience that has made DXB the world's busiest international airport for more than a decade.
