Dubai Airports set to hit 88 million passengers in 2024.
DXB revised its passenger forecast for 2023 last week, increasing it from 83.6 million travelers to 85 million.
Dubai International Airport Anticipates Record-Breaking Passenger Traffic
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to achieve an unprecedented milestone as it projects an impressive 88 million passengers to traverse its terminals in the upcoming year, surpassing the pre-pandemic benchmark of 86.4 million international passengers received in 2019.
Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports, the entity overseeing DXB, revealed this promising forecast during an interview with a UAE-based Arabic daily on Tuesday. This ambitious projection demonstrates Dubai's resilience in recovering and asserting its status as a global aviation hub.
Operational Resilience
The busiest international hub in the world, DXB has increased its projected 2023 passenger count from 83.6 million to 85 million passengers over the previous week. The total annual traffic observed in 2019 is barely 1.6 percent greater than this revised projection.
The revision comes on the heels of DXB's exceptional performance in the first half of 2023. During this period, the airport greeted a remarkable 41.6 million passengers, a growth of 49.1 percent compared to the first half of 2022, which saw 27.9 million passengers. This robust performance signifies a remarkable recovery from the pandemic's impact.
Operational Excellence and Guest Satisfaction
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, expressed his satisfaction with the airport's performance in the initial half of the year. Amidst an increasing influx of passengers, he acknowledged the commitment to operational excellence and creating a positive guest experience. As the recovery continues and the first-half traffic surpasses pre-pandemic levels, the airport remains dedicated to ensuring each traveler departs with a positive impression.
Promising Months Ahead
Looking ahead, Griffiths noted a strong demand in July, with the ongoing seasonal peak coinciding with the reopening of schools in August. This suggests an exceptionally bustling remainder of the year. Consequently, DXB has adjusted its forecast for 2023 to accommodate 85 million guests, a slight 1.6 percent difference from the annual traffic recorded in 2019.
Expansion and Technological Integration
Majed Al Joker highlighted DXB's evolving capacity, which can presently accommodate up to 100 million passengers. Ongoing improvements since 2016 could potentially extend this capacity to approximately 120 million passengers. Al Joker emphasized DXB's strategic incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance passenger services, reflecting the airport's commitment to innovation.
Global Connectivity
DXB boasts connectivity to 257 destinations across 104 countries, facilitated by over 91 international airlines. In line with Dubai's global reputation, DXB continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating international air travel.
