DXB surpasses pre-pandemic passenger numbers in 2023

Dubai International Airport beat its pre-pandemic annual passenger traffic last year, on the back of a strong performance in the second half of 2023.

DXB welcomed 87 million passengers in 2023, a growth of 31.7 per cent year-on-year, surpassing the 86.4 million recorded in 2019.

With 7.8 million guests, December was the busiest month in the fourth quarter during which the airport welcomed a total of 22.4 million guests, a year-on-year growth of 13.8 per cent compared to Q4 of last year. Q3 remained the quarter with highest traffic since 2019 with 23 million guests while August, with 7.9 million guests, was the month with the highest traffic.

DXB processed a total of 77.5 million bags in 2023, making it the highest volume of bags managed during a calendar year at the airport. Despite 24.6 per year year-on-year increase in baggage volume, DXB maintained its success rate of 99.8 per cent, with only 2.4 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said it's not just the quantities that are high, the customer experience in the terminals is also exceptional. He said that more than 95 per cent of guests experienced less than seven minutes of waiting time at departure passport control while the average waiting time at security check on departures was less than four minutes for 97.5 per cent of guests.

Taking to social media platform X, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said the figure "is a testament to Dubai’s commitment to stay at the forefront as a global aviation gateway, propelled by connectivity, service excellence and innovation".

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, said, “DXB's spectacular performance in 2023 is a resounding testament to the visionary leadership and determination of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve growth and excellence across sectors, surmounting all challenges along the way."

. @DubaiAirports: In 2023, we soared to new heights with 87 million guests travelling through @DXB, delivered 77.5 million bags with 99.8% accuracy and recorded 416,405 flight movements. pic.twitter.com/ZJi8UZa5mg

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 19, 2024

2023 was a remarkable year of achievements for @DXB, which handled 87 million guests, a year-on-year increase of almost 32%.

(2/1) pic.twitter.com/oeVznmT9yA

— HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (@HHAhmedBinSaeed) February 19, 2024