Dubai: Dubai International Airport has maintained its position as the world’s busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic for 2024, according to a report released today by Airports Council International (ACI) World.

According to Emirates News Agency, preliminary figures indicate that the 2024 global total passengers are close to 9.5 billion, representing an increase of 9 percent from 2023 or a gain of 3.8 percent from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The report highlights that the top 10 busiest airports, representing 9 percent of global traffic, handled 855 million passengers, witnessing a gain of 8.8 percent from 2023 and an increase of 8.4 percent compared to their 2019 results, which stood at 789 million passengers.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport maintained its top position, followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The report also noted that air cargo volumes are estimated to have increased by 8.4 percent year-over-year, or 3.9 percent compared to 2019, reaching over 124 million metric tonnes in 2024.

ACI World Director-General Justin Erbacci remarked on the resilience of the world’s busiest airports despite global challenges. He emphasized that these hubs are vital for trade, commerce, and connectivity. As air travel continues to grow, ACI World is committed to supporting its members to ensure the smooth flow of people and goods, which drives global economic, social, and cultural progress.