DXB welcomes record 41.6 million travelers in H1 2023
DUBAI, UAE—Dubai International (DXB) marked the first half of the year with a new milestone—welcoming more than 41.6 million travelers, surpassing its passenger traffic record in the 2019 pre-COVID period.
Cargo volumes at DXB also surged in the second quarter by 16.1% y-on-y at 453,500 tons. But total freight volume for the first half of the year fell by 6.2 percent compared to last year to 853,500 tons.
The world’s busiest international hub said it registered a robust performance throughout the second quarter with passenger traffic surging by 42.7% year-on-year to reach 20.3 million. May was the busiest month during Q2, with 6.9 million travelers.
Propelled by a strong Q2, DXB’s H1 traffic totalled 41.6m guests, up 49.1% compared to 27.9m recorded in H1 2022. DXB handled a total of 201,800 flights in the first half, up 30.2% year on year, up 13% compared to the same period in H1 2019. The average number of guests per flight during the first half reached 214, while the load factor was 77%.
“It’s been a rewarding first half for Dubai International and amidst increasing guest numbers, we take great pride in knowing we are continuously delivering with operational excellence and providing an exemplary guest experience. As we recover with our H1 traffic surpassing pre-pandemic levels, we remain committed to ensuring every guest who travels through our airport leaves with a smile,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, the operator of DXB.
DXB’s baggage performance continues to be world-leading, and in H1 2023, baggage volume increased by 7% compared to pre-pandemic H1 2019 levels. This year so far, DXB handled approximately 37.2 million bags without compromising baggage delivery to customers – 92% of all baggage was delivered within 45 minutes to customers.
DXB received numerous accolades, including a certification from Airports Council International for its ongoing efforts to prioritize a safe and inclusive airport experience for guests with physical and hidden disabilities – a significant milestone. And welcomed several new airlines to the DXB family, further expanding connectivity to new destinations and countries.
India continues to lead as DXB’s top destination country in terms of traffic, with 6m guests in the first half, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.1m guests and the United Kingdom with 2.8m guests. Other leading destinations include Pakistan (2m guests), the U.S. (1.8m guests), Russia (1.3m guests) and Germany (1.2m guests).
The list of top city destinations was led by London with 1.7m guests, Mumbai (1.2m guests), and Riyadh (1.2m guests) following in a close third. DXB is connected to 257 destinations across 104 countries through more than 91 international airlines.
