Dubai International Airport (DXB), a major international hub, registered a 127% jump in annual passenger traffic to 66.1 million in 2022. The DXB, the hub of airline Emirates, is forecast to welcome 78 million passengers this year, as the United Arab Emirates gets ready to host major international events, including the COP28 climate conference.
Dubai Airports, the airport’s operator, in November forecast DXB passenger traffic to reach 64.3 million in 2022. About 60% of people travelling through DXB are origin and destination travellers, while 40% are transfers, said Dubai Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths.
While the figures are still below volumes reached before the COVID-19 pandemic, Griffiths expected to exceed pre-pandemic monthly levels during the second half of this year. The state-owned operator maintains its expectations for passenger levels to restore to pre-pandemic level by 2024.
Griffiths said China’s reopening after it ended pandemic restrictions is expected to feature strongly in the airport’s growth figures in the next few months. The Dubai International Airport has 25 flights a week to seven cities of China on five different airlines.
