Dubai International Airport (DXB) has set a new record by welcoming 44.9 million visitors in the first half of 2024 marking an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. This milestone highlights DXB's crucial role in boosting Dubai’s economy and solidifies its reputation as the world's most preferred airport.

In the first half of 2024, Dubai saw 9.31 million foreign visitors, reflecting the city’s growing appeal as a hub for talent, business and investment. The Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai reported these figures which align with the city's GDP growth of 3.2%, reaching AED 115 billion in the first quarter of 2024.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, “The record-breaking performance in the first half of this year highlights our strategic importance as a global aviation hub. Dubai is at the forefront of global cities when it comes to attracting talent, businesses, and tourists from around the world and we are proud to be the gateway to the city, driving growth and enhancing the airport experience for every guest.”

DXB's success is driven by its connections to key international markets including East Asia, Western Europe, South Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council. India remains the top destination with 6.1 million passengers.

In the first half of 2024, DXB recorded 216,000 flight movements a 7.2% increase from the previous year. January was the busiest month with 7.9 million visitors. The airport also set a record by handling 39.7 million bags with 92% of all arriving baggage delivered within 45 minutes of the aircraft arriving at the gate.

The average number of guests per aircraft movement was 213 with a load factor of 77%. Transfer traffic accounted for 44% of the total while direct traffic made up 56%. In the second quarter of 2024, the airport saw 21.8 million visitors, a 7.5% increase from the previous year with 107,000 total flight movements.

DXB's real-time monitoring system helps prevent long lines at various checkpoints ensuring a smoother travel experience. In H2, 98% of visitors waited less than 10 minutes at departure passport control and less than 15 minutes at arrival passport control.

Other major destination countries include Saudi Arabia (3.7 million visitors), the United Kingdom (2.9 million visitors) and Pakistan (2.3 million visitors). Important markets also include the United States (1.7 million visitors), Germany (1.3 million visitors) and Russia (1.3 million visitors). The most popular city destinations were London (1.8 million visitors), Riyadh (1.6 million visitors) and Mumbai (1.2 million visitors).