emirates7 - Dubai International Airport has retained its status as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic in 2024, according to a report released by Airports Council International (ACI) World.

Preliminary data shows that global passenger numbers for 2024 are nearing 9.5 billion, marking a 9% increase from 2023 and a 3.8% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The top 10 busiest airports, which together account for 9% of global traffic (855 million passengers), saw an 8.8% growth compared to 2023 and an 8.4% increase from their 2019 performance (789 million passengers).

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remains the busiest overall, followed by Dubai International and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

In air cargo, volumes are expected to grow by 8.4% year-over-year (+3.9% compared to 2019), surpassing 124 million metric tonnes in 2024.

ACI World Director-General Justin Erbacci remarked, “Despite global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports is evident. These hubs are crucial for trade, commerce, and connectivity. As air travel continues to grow, ACI World is committed to supporting its members in ensuring the efficient movement of people and goods, which are essential to global economic, social, and cultural development.”