Dubai International Airport has retained its title as the world’s busiest hub for international passengers in 2024, as confirmed by the latest data published by Airports Council International (ACI) World.
Early estimates suggest that total global passenger numbers for 2024 are nearing 9.5 billion, marking a nine per cent rise compared to 2023 and an increase of 3.8 per cent over figures from 2019, before the pandemic.
The ten busiest airports, which collectively account for nine per cent of global air traffic—or 855 million passengers—recorded an 8.8 per cent year-on-year rise and an 8.4 per cent increase compared to their 2019 performance of 789 million travellers.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its position as the world’s busiest overall, followed by Dubai International Airport in second place and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in third.
Global air freight volumes are estimated to have grown by 8.4 per cent year-on-year in 2024, reaching over 124 million metric tonnes—representing a 3.9 per cent rise from 2019 levels.
Commenting on the findings, ACI World Director-General Justin Erbacci stated: “Despite global challenges, the world’s busiest airports have demonstrated remarkable resilience. These key aviation hubs play a critical role in enabling trade, economic activity, and connectivity. As the aviation sector continues to expand, ACI World remains committed to supporting its members in facilitating the seamless movement of people and goods that fuel global development across multiple spheres.”
