Dubai International Airport (DXB) has achieved a remarkable feat at the start of 2024 by ascending to the position of the world’s busiest airport in January, according to recent data from aviation consultancy OAG. This marks a significant climb for DXB, which recorded a total of 5 million seats in the month, surpassing the long-standing leader, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL).
ATL, which slipped to second place, registered 4.7 million seats, experiencing an 8 percent decrease in capacity compared to the previous month. This shift in rankings highlights a dynamic change in the global aviation landscape, with DXB steadily rising from its second-place position in January 2023 and its third-place ranking in 2019.
DXB’s ascent is not just a monthly phenomenon. OAG’s data also recognized DXB as the busiest international airport for the entire year of 2023, boasting a remarkable 56.5 million seats. This figure signifies a substantial 25 percent increase in seating capacity compared to the previous year. The airport had also topped the charts in 2022 and 2019, with capacities of 53.98 million and 45.27 million seats, respectively.
The criteria for these rankings are based on scheduled capacity for the current month, compared to the same month in the previous year. The top 10 global airports are ranked by their total capacity, encompassing both domestic and international flights, while the busiest international airports are evaluated based on international seating capacity alone.
Besides DXB, the list of the top 10 busiest global airports in January includes prominent names such as Tokyo International (Haneda), Guangzhou, London Heathrow, Dallas/Fort Worth, Shanghai Pudong, Denver International, Istanbul, and Beijing Capital International.
In the international arena, Dubai maintained its lead, followed by London Heathrow, Seoul Incheon, Singapore Changi, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Hong Kong International, Doha, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International.
Dubai International’s rise to the top spot is a testament to its status as a global aviation hub, reflecting the city’s strategic location and its commitment to providing top-tier airport services and facilities. As a home base for Emirates, the largest international carrier, DXB continues to play a pivotal role in connecting travelers from around the world, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a key player in the international travel and tourism sector.
