Dubai International (DXB) has maintained its status as the busiest international airport in 2023, handling over 56.5 million seats, as reported by aviation consultancy OAG. Dubai Airports recently projected an annual passenger traffic figure of 86.8 million for 2023, marking a significant recovery beyond 2019 levels.
Despite the challenges of the past year, DXB exhibited a remarkable 25% increase in seating capacity compared to the previous year. The airport, which held the top position in 2022 and 2019 with capacities of 53.98 million and 45.27 million, respectively, remains a key driver of post-pandemic recovery and growth in the emirate.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) secured the second spot with 46.5 million seats, a 24% increase from 2022 but comparable to 2019. Other notable airports in the rankings include Amsterdam Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Singapore’s Changi International Airport, Istanbul Airport, Seoul Incheon International Airport, Frankfurt Airport, Doha International Airport, and Madrid Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport.
OAG reported that DXB was the second busiest airport globally in 2023, trailing behind Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) with 61 million seats. Additionally, the Dubai-Riyadh route ranked as the world’s sixth busiest route in 2023, handling 3.99 million seats.
These rankings underscore the resilience and continued growth of DXB, contributing to the emirate’s optimistic outlook for the remainder of 2023 and beyond. The success is attributed to effective pandemic management, fostering a robust travel and tourism sector in Dubai.
