Dubai Airports¡¯ CEO is predicting a record few years ahead when it comes to passenger levels and overall growth.

During an interview with CNBC, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said passenger traffic for the two airports he oversees ¡ª Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)?¡ª could hit record levels this year and exceed 100 million by 2027.

The two airports have experienced very strong post-pandemic recovery, Griffiths explained, adding that the Dubai has ¡°never been in a stronger place than it is now.¡±

The notable growth may be linked to a shortage of aircraft capacity and efforts to promote Dubai as a safe haven. There¡¯s also what he called ¡°hangover¡± demand from the pandemic.

¡°Those three reasons, suggests we are on for a record year ¡ª 91 million forecast for the end of 2024,¡± Griffiths told CNBC¡¯s ¡°Capital Connection.¡±

¡°We expect by 2027, to be topping the 100 million passenger mark. So, very optimistic future ahead.¡±

Strong Start to 2024, More Growth Ahead

Already this year, Dubai International Airport (DBX) experienced its busiest quarter in history. Some 23 million passengers arrived at the airport during the first quarter of 2024. That¡¯s an 8.4 percent increase over the same quarter last year, according to a press release from Dubai Airports.

Total passenger traffic at DBX for the quarter reached 23,052,060 guests, with January recording the highest traffic at 7.9 million guests, according to the airport operator.

Last year, almost 87 million people passed through DBX, solidifying its status as one of the world's busiest international travel hubs.?

In a statement issued by the airport operator, Griffiths said that the record figures at DBX may be buoyed by ¡°the proliferation of cities being added to our network by our home base carriers Emirates and flydubai, in recent months.¡±

¡°With a strong start to Q2 and an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year, we have revised our forecast for the year to 91 million guests, surpassing our previous annual traffic record of 89.1 million in 2018,¡± Griffiths added.

DBX¡¯s success also drives the Dubai economy, the airport operator said. The city registered a 3.3 percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) valued at approximately AED $307.9 billion, according to Dubai Airports.

DXB serves as the primary gateway to Dubai and in this role supports the city¡¯s growth and international brand, according to the statement from Dubai Airports.

The airport provides connections to 256 destinations across 102 countries through 90 international carriers.
India continues to be DXB¡¯s top destination country ¡ª passenger levels have reached 3.1 million. Saudi Arabia is the second most popular destination country from DXB with 2 million passengers.

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