Dubai International Airport (DXB) has extended its dominance as the world's busiest international hub for the 11th year in a row, after higher investment in technology and infrastructure, and as global long-haul travel overtook pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
Dubai, home base of super-connector Emirates airlines, handled 92.3 million passengers last year, up 6.1 per cent from 2023 and 7 per cent from 2019, according to the latest data by Airports Council International (ACI), which represents 2,181 airports in 170 countries.
London’s Heathrow, Incheon in Seoul, Singapore's Changi and Schiphol in Amsterdam rounded off the top-five busiest hubs for international air traffic in 2024, ACI said in a report on Monday.
Including domestic passenger travel, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson – the base of Delta Air Lines – retained its title as the world's busiest airport, handling 108.1 million travellers. It was followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth in second and third place, respectively.
The biggest jump in the top 10 rankings was Shanghai Pudong International Airport, leapfrogging from 21st position in 2023 to the 10th in 2024. The progress was fuelled by expanded visa policies, resumption and growth of international flights, operational improvements and the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, ACI said.
Global air travel surged last year, despite geopolitical and economic headwinds. Passenger volumes reached nearly 9.5 billion, an increase of 9 per cent from 2023, ACI data showed.
"Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce and connectivity," ACI World's director general Justin Erbacci said.
However, global passenger travel growth faced "significant uncertainties" last year from economic and geopolitical challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Gaza war, tension in Lebanon and Iran, as well as the toppling of the Bashar Al Assad regime in Syria.
"Ongoing supply chain challenges and production delays from aircraft manufacturers, as well as geopolitical tensions, posed a risk to growth opportunities by potentially altering flight routes, increasing operational costs and affecting passenger sentiment," ACI said.
"Additionally, the threat of tariffs raised concerns about potential disruptions to global trade, which indirectly affected international travel demand and increased constructions."
The sweeping tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump has rattled markets and supply chains globally.
Slower growth in 2025
Global passenger traffic this year is forecast to reach 9.9 billion, with a 4.8 per cent annual growth, ACI said.
"While passenger demand remains strong, the pace of expansion is expected to slow as markets shift from recovery-driven surges to structural, long-term growth patterns," it said.
"Key challenges such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and capacity constraints are expected to increasingly shape the industry’s trajectory."
This year's growth is split into a tale of two markets. In advanced markets, demand stabilisation, supply chain bottlenecks in production and airports' capacity shortage may "temper growth", ACI said.
However, in emerging markets, higher infrastructure investment and rising middle-class travel demand are expected to continue driving expansion.
"As the industry moves into a new era of growth, the airport industry must focus on financial viability, investment in infrastructure, operational efficiency and sustainability," ACI said.
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Janet Yellen's Firsts
- In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve
- In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers
Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers
LAST 16
SEEDS
Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Valencia, Juventus
PLUS
Real Madrid, Tottenham, Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, Chelsea
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Indika
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THE%20HOLDOVERS
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If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Mental%20health%20support%20in%20the%20UAE
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2
(Martial 30', McTominay 90 6')
Manchester City 0
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Overall standings
1. Christopher Froome (GBR/Sky) 68hr 18min 36sec,
2. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) at 0:18.
3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 0:23.
4. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 0:29.
5. Mikel Landa (ESP/SKY) 1:17.
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
