Dubai International Airport saw a record 44.9 million passengers in the first half this year, putting it on track to surpass its all-time passenger record.
The new figures, released on Wednesday, come after the news of a record-breaking annual profit for Emirates, the long-haul carrier that operates out of the airport.
Dubai is experiencing a real estate boom and its highest-ever tourism numbers, transforming the city from merely a layover spot into a sought-after destination in its own right.
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“Our record-breaking performance in the first half this year underscores our strategic significance as a global aviation hub,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
“Dubai remains at the forefront of global cities in attracting talent, businesses, and tourists, and we take pride in being the gateway to this dynamic city.”
In its busiest year to date, the airport handled 89.1 million passengers in 2018.
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The airport saw 66 million passengers in 2022 and a notable rebound to 86.9 million in 2023 after the COVID pandemic.
Griffiths forecast a total of 91.8 million passengers for 2024.
The bustling airport, which was briefly shuttered during the pandemic, is now grappling with soaring traffic volumes.
In April, Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced plans to shift operations to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central.
This new nearly $35 billion airfield located in the city’s southern region had its development delayed due to the 2009 economic downturn but promises to feature a distinctive, curving white terminal inspired by traditional Bedouin tents.
The facility will boast five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, a significant expansion from Dubai International Airport’s current two-runway setup.
Opened in 2010, Al Maktoum International Airport initially served as a holding area for Emirates’ Airbus A380s and other aircraft during the pandemic.
It has gradually resumed operations with cargo and private flights and continues to host events like the Dubai Air Show.
The airport’s location offers vast potential for further expansion, with plenty of surrounding desert space.
“We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn,” Sheikh Mohammed said in an online statement. “Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub and its new global center.”
The expansion plans align with Dubai’s broader strategy to develop its southern region, including recent residential developments at the nearby Expo 2020 site.
Earlier in February, Dubai announced its best-ever tourism numbers, saying it hosted 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023. Average hotel occupancy stood at around 77%.
Its real estate market remains high, nearing all-time high valuations.
Dubai’s property boom is partly due to Russian investors fleeing Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
“There’s lots of parts of the world where there are real challenges and people looking for a safe haven,” said Richard Waind, group managing director for Betterhomes, a real estate brokerage in the emirate. “I think that’s a safe haven both for the capital but also for their families.”
