Today's Edition
TALAH TURK (ABU DHABI)
In a remarkable achievement, Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again emerged as the world's busiest international airport in 2023, maintaining its prestigious position for the third consecutive year.
DXB has also secured the title of the second busiest global airport, boasting an impressive 57 million scheduled seats for departing flights. This accomplishment marks a significant 5% increase in airline capacity compared with pre-pandemic figures recorded in 2019 when DXB held the position of the fourth busiest airport worldwide.
Putting Things into Perspective
Topping the list as the Busiest Global Airport of 2023 is Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) with a staggering 61 million seats. Followed by DXB, then London Heathrow Airport (LHR) with 47 million seats, Amsterdam Airport (AMS) with 37.2 million seats, and finally Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) with 36.7 million seats in fifth place.
Among international airports, DXB came ahead of LHR, AMS, CDG, and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) in fifth place.
UAE Figures
The scheduled seat capacity for departing flights from the UAE increased by 23% in 2023 compared with 2022. This figure represents a 4% increase for the country in comparison to pre-pandemic levels.
According to OAG, a global flight information data provider, the seating capacity for departing flights in 2023 stood at 78.88 million, while the figure totalled 63.89 million in 2022, recording a growth of 23.46%. The data also revealed that airlines operating in the country added around 15 million new seats for departing flights last year.
The number of international airlines operating through UAE airports exceeded 191 in 2023, while the same figure stood at 137 the year before and at 113 in 2019.
National carriers, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Flydubai, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi accounted for approximately 75% of the total scheduled seat capacity for departing flights in 2023, equivalent to 59.23 million seats.
A Closer Look at Individual Emirates
Abu Dhabi International Airport recorded 13.49 million seats in 2023, compared with 10.1 million seats in 2022 and approximately 13.6 million seats in 2019.
It followed DXB which had a total of 56.5 million seats in 2023 and came ahead of Sharjah International Airport which had a seat capacity of 8.26 million.
Ras Al Khaimah Airport's seat capacity in 2023 was 336,578 seats and Al Maktoum International Airport had a seat capacity of 195,864 in 2023. As for Al Ain Airport, it had a seat capacity of 69,188 in 2023.
UAE Dominates Global Aviation Landscape
This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment of the UAE to excellence in aviation, solidifying its position as a global hub for air travel. The continuous growth in airline capacity highlights the resilience and strategic significance of the country in the international aviation landscape.
