DXB surpasses pre-pandemic passenger numbers in 2023

File Photo

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."

More from Business

  • UAE, Mexico strengthen trade ties

    The UAE and Mexico are working to boost trade and investment relations, with a focus on fostering partnerships between their private sectors.

  • Ethiopia to open stock exchange in drive for investors

    Ethiopia was set to launch a stock exchange on Friday, the latest step in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's attempts to liberalise the struggling economy.

  • Supreme Court to hear fight over looming US ban on TikTok

    Facing a looming ban in the United States, TikTok's fate will be in the hands of the Supreme Court in a case being argued on Friday that pits free speech rights against national security concerns over the widely used short-video app owned by Chinese company ByteDance.

  • Nvidia criticizes reported Biden plan for AI chip export curbs

    Nvidia criticized a reported plan by the Joe Biden administration to impose new restrictions on AI chip exports, saying that the outgoing US leader should not "preempt incoming President Trump" by enacting a last-minute policy.

  • UAE advances tech cooperation with US partners at CES 2025

    During his participation at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, a premier global technology event held in Las Vegas, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, has met with senior US officials and business leaders, as the UAE and the US continue to explore ways to strengthen their strategic cooperation in advanced technology and innovation.

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • The Reboot

    10:00am - Noon

  • The Best of Dubai Eye 103.8

    Noon - 4:00pm

    Hear the highlights from the week gone by on Dubai Eye 103.8. Listen again to the best interviews, advice and the top stories that has gripped our conversation this week.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE

    Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?

  • Noon's First Female Delivery Driver

    Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!