In the year 2023, Dubai International (DXB) achieved remarkable success beyond previous expectations, marking a significant milestone by accommodating 87 million guests. This achievement not only surpassed Dubai Airports’ initial projections but also exceeded pre-pandemic levels of traffic. Such remarkable performance stands as a testament to DXB’s robust recovery journey, solidifying its stature as the world’s foremost airport for international passenger traffic.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said: “DXB’s spectacular performance in 2023 is a resounding testament to the visionary leadership and determination of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve growth and excellence across sectors, surmounting all challenges along the way. This exceptional performance underscores Dubai’s emergence as the world’s most popular tourism destination and its pivotal role in global commerce and trade, facilitated by the unmatched connectivity, aviation capacity and logistics infrastructure that has been built steadily over the years under His Highness’s leadership.”
“Dubai is setting new benchmarks in passenger experience with excellence levels and innovative technologies that constantly redefine airport services. Consistent with the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities for tourism and business over the next decade, the city continues to grow rapidly as a global aviation hub and the world’s preferred gateway for international travellers. As we celebrate these accomplishments, we remain committed to further enhancing Dubai’s leading position on the global stage.”
His Highness acknowledged that under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who serves as President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, significant strategic initiatives and essential investments have been implemented. These efforts have been directed towards enhancing infrastructure, technology, and customer service to position Dubai as a leader in global aviation expansion
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, “I am incredibly proud of everyone at Dubai International, for their dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence, which has propelled us to break many of our own records. 2023 was an exceptional year and is a testament to our unwavering commitment to operational excellence, efficiency, innovation and delivering exemplary guest experience. This translated to DXB achieving its highest internal engagement scores – a reflection of our commitment to fostering a collaborative culture, where every contribution is valued and every employee is empowered to their full potential. I want to express my gratitude to our dedicated team, the heartbeat of our organisation, and to our partners whose, collaborative work was instrumental in achieving these milestones.
“Looking ahead, we’re renewing our commitment to collectively enhance the airport experience for our all our guests by launching significant projects to refurbish facilities at DXB and fortify our infrastructure for future growth. DXB remains firmly positioned as a global leader, setting the gold standard for exceptional guest experiences and international aviation excellence.”
DXB experienced a surge in guest numbers in 2023, totaling 86,994,365, marking a remarkable year-on-year increase of 31.7%. This growth was driven predominantly by a strong performance in the second half of the year, during which DXB recorded 45.4 million guests. December emerged as the busiest month, with 7.8 million guests. Furthermore, DXB maintained operational excellence, achieving a high success rate in baggage handling and scoring high in guest satisfaction.
Looking forward, DXB remains committed to enhancing the airport experience for guests by launching significant projects to refurbish facilities and fortify infrastructure for future growth. Initial forecasts for 2024 anticipate DXB to receive 88.8 million guests, nearing its previous all-time high record set in 2018. This outlook reaffirms DXB’s position as a global leader, setting the standard for exceptional guest experiences and international aviation excellence.