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DXB remains world’s busiest international airport

By Pramod Kumar
The number of international passengers at DXB reached nearly 87 million in 2023, rising 32% from the previous year Wam
The number of international passengers at DXB reached nearly 87 million in 2023, rising 32% from the previous year

Dubai International (DXB) has maintained its status as the world’s busiest international airport, beating London and Amsterdam, the Airports Council International (ACI), an association of world airports, said in a new report.

DXB has secured the top place for the 10th consecutive year, with the number of international passengers reaching nearly 87 million in 2023, rising 32 percent from the previous year. 

Dubai Airports is “determined to maintain DXB’s dominant position for the next decade and beyond through sustained collaboration and innovation”, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported, quoting Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths.

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London’s Heathrow Airport remained in the second place, having welcomed almost 75 million international passengers in the same period, a 29 percent year on year increase.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol retained its third position, with nearly 62 million international passengers in 2023, registering an 18 percent annual growth. 

The global total passenger forecast for 2023 stands close to 8.5 billion, recovering by 94 percent from pre-pandemic levels, the ACI said. 

The influx of passengers at international airports has been central in bolstering the recovery of hubs reliant on this segment.

ACI world director general Luis Felipe de Oliveira said global air travel in 2023 was chiefly fuelled by the international segment, propelled by factors such as China’s reopening and a growing inclination towards travel despite macroeconomic conditions.

The US continued to dominate the top 10 busiest airports for passengers, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retaining its number one position.

However, preliminary data from ACI has revealed that Asia-Pacific and Middle East hubs are strengthening.

The top 10 airports collectively account for nearly 10 percent of global air traffic, serving 806 million passengers, up 20 percent from 2022.

Airport rankings are based on data gathered from over 2,600 airports across more than 180 countries and territories globally.  

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