Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again taken the lead on the global stage — officially crowned the world’s busiest airport for international passengers in 2024. The latest figures from Airports Council International (ACI) show that DXB handled a massive 92.3 million international travellers, putting it ahead of other major global hubs like London Heathrow, Seoul Incheon, Singapore Changi, and Amsterdam Schiphol.
That’s a 6.1% increase from 2023, and it marks the 10th year in a row that Dubai has held this top spot for international traffic.
Dubai’s airport isn’t just big — it’s a crucial global connector. As the main base for Emirates, one of the world’s largest airlines, it links continents and draws travelers from all corners of the globe. Its location and focus on long-haul international routes make it a natural leader in global travel.
Other 2024 airport rankings by ACI
- Atlanta (USA) is the world’s busiest airport overall, counting both domestic and international flights, with 108.1 million passengers.
- Dubai (DXB) ranks second overall, but remains No. 1 for international-only traffic.
- In cargo, Hong Kong leads with 4.9 million metric tonnes, followed by Shanghai and Memphis.
Here are other interesting results in global passenger aviation in 2024:
- Around 5 billion passengers flew worldwide last year — up 9% from 2023.
- The top 10 busiest airports by traffic volume handled 855 million passengers in total, nearly 10% of all global air travel.
- Air travel is not just back to pre-pandemic levels — it has surpassed them.
Still, ACI notes that the pace may slow in 2025. Growth could be held back by economic uncertainties, global tensions, and airline capacity limits.
