Dubai International Airport (DXB) has recorded 44.9 million passengers during the first six months of this year, significantly contributing to Dubai’s economy. 

In a press statement, Dubai Airport says that it has marked an 8 pc year-on-year increase in passengers. Of this, 9.31 million were international visitors, reflecting its burgeoning appeal as a global hub for talent, enterprises, and investors. 

In the recent past, DXB says it has boosted by strong connectivity with key international markets, which in turn has supported Dubai’s economic growth.

These figures, released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, tie in closely with the growth of Dubai’s GDP, which reached AED 115 billion (USD 31.3 billion) in Q1 2024, up 3.2 pc from the previous year.

DXB authorities say that the average number of travellers per aircraft movement was 213, and the load factor remained steady at 77 pc compared to H1 2023. 

Direct traffic accounted for 56 pc of the total, witnessing a slight increase, while transfer traffic comprised 44 pc.

The statement adds that during the second quarter of 2024, the airport saw 21.8 million passengers, an increase of 7.5 pc compared to the same period last year and total movements were recorded at 107,000.  

Dubai Airports has also announced that new developments will be rolled out in the coming months. These include colour-coded car parks for easier navigation, a new signature aroma in Al Majlis to create a welcoming atmosphere befitting the VIP facility, and an advanced queue management system.

The real-time monitoring system used at DXB helps the airport anticipate and prevent queues from building up across touchpoints, ensuring a smoother and more efficient journey for all passengers, says the statement. 

During H1, 98 pc of passengers experienced less than 10 minutes of wait times at departure passport control and the same percentage waited less than 15 minutes at arrivals passport control. Nearly 95 pc of guests at departure security screening waited less than three minutes.