Dubai International maintains status as world’s busiest international airport

INTERNATIONAL. Airports Council International (ACI) today revealed its 2024 rankings of the world’s busiest airports based on passenger traffic, with Dubai International maintaining its number one status for international volumes.

The UAE hub served 92.3 million passengers, up by +6.1% year-on-year and +7% ahead of pre-pandemic 2019. London Heathrow ranked second, with passenger volumes climbing +5.7% year-on-year to 79.2 million, while Incheon International leapt from seventh in 2023 to third last year, serving 70.7 million passengers, up +26.7% year-on-year.

The top ten was rounded out by Singapore Changi, Amsterdam, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Hong Kong International and Hamad International airports.  

Preliminary figures from ACI indicated that total passenger numbers (including domestic) in 2024 reached close to 9.5 billion, as previously flagged, representing an increase of +9% from 2023 or a gain of +3.8% from 2019.

Dubai International also ranked second among airports for total passenger traffic, behind only Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and just ahead of Dallas/Fort Worth International. In the top ten overall rankings, the biggest leap came from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which went from 21^st in 2023 to tenth in 2024. ACI noted that this jump “was fuelled by expanded visa policies, the resumption and expansion of international flights, operational enhancements, and the recovery of the Asia Pacific region, particularly China”.

ACI also highlighted the strong performance of Istanbul and Delhi International Airport compared to pre-pandemic times, with their top ten status enhanced by airline expansion, infrastructure growth and global connectivity.

The ten busiest airports, which represent 9% of global traffic (855 million passengers), posted a gain of +8.8% from 2023 and a gain of +8.4% compared to their pre-COVID results (789 million passengers in 2019).

ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci said, “Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce and connectivity. As air travel grows, ACI World stands ready to support its members, ensuring the smooth flow of people and goods that drive global economic, social, and cultural progress.”

In 2025, global passenger traffic is forecast to reach 9.9 billion with a +4.8% year-on-year growth rate. The pace of expansion is expected to slow as markets shift from recovery-driven surges to structural, long-term growth patterns, noted ACI.

An ACI statement added: “Key challenges such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and capacity constraints are expected to increasingly shape the industry’s trajectory. In advanced markets, demand stabilisation, supply chain bottlenecks in aircraft production and airport capacity shortage may temper growth, while in emerging markets, higher infrastructure investment and rising middle-class travel demand will likely continue to drive expansion.

“As the industry moves into a new era of growth, the airport industry must focus on financial viability, investment in infrastructure, operational efficiency and sustainability.”