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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The number of passengers flying out of Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, last year exceeded the total in 2019 — just before the coronavirus pandemic brought global aviation to a halt. .
Although still behind its all-time high in 2018, the data for 2023 shows how far the airport, known as DXB, has bounced back from the pandemic. The number of passengers passing through its cavernous, air-conditioned terminals in Dubai, home of long-haul carrier Emirates, Long has served as a barometer for the aviation industry around the world and the broader economic health of the city-state.
Overall in 2023, the airport handled 86.9 million passengers. The airport’s 2019 annual traffic was 86.3 million passengers. The airport handled 89.1 million passengers in 2018 – its busiest year ever before the pandemic, while 66 million passengers are expected to arrive in 2022.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths made the announcement on state-owned radio station Dubai Eye on Monday.
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The airport forecasts it will serve 88.8 million passengers this year – close to an all-time high. But it will increase pressure on an already overstretched airport, which had the highest ever number of aircraft takeoffs and landings in a year – 416,405.
Dubai’s other airport is Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, about 45 kilometers (28 mi) away in its southernmost point. While it was used by commercial airlines when Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World CupThe second airport, opened in 2010, largely sees cargo and private aircraft flights. Plans for Emirates and other major carriers to deploy there have been repeatedly postponed.
Dubai International Airport connects to 262 destinations in 104 countries around the world via more than 100 international carriers.
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