Chronological History

Dubai has transformed from a little-known refuelling stop into a globally celebrated hub for tourism, trade, finance, and aviation, all within just a few decades. 

DXB’s rise mirrors that journey. The airport welcomed its one billionth passenger by the end of 2018 - a remarkable feat. It took 51 years, from 1960 to 2011, to reach the first 500 million passengers. The next 500 million took just seven years. 

Having claimed the title of the world’s busiest international airport in 2014 with 70.4 million in guest numbers, DXB has since widened the gap. In 2024, the airport hit an all-time high of 92.3 million guests - breaking our own record and reaffirming our position at the top for the 11th consecutive year. 

DXB currently has the capacity to accommodate up to 100 million guests annually. This is set to grow to over 120 million through an ongoing process enhancement programme designed to elevate efficiency and guest experience.

Chronological History

• 2026 – DXB set a new global aviation milestone, handling 95.2 million guests in 2025 (+3.1% YoY), marking the busiest year in its history and the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport. The year also saw DXB record its busiest day, month and quarter on record.
• 2025 – YTD September traffic crosses 70m on the back of a record Q3 (24.2m guests).
• 2025 – DXB retains its position as the busiest international airport for the 11^th consecutive year.
• 2025 – DXB records 92.3m guests in 2024 annual traffic, the highest in its 65-year history.
• 2024 – DXB records the busiest H1 in history with 44.9m guests recorded.
• 2024 – AED 128b Phase 2 expansion of DWC is announced.
• 2024 – DXB completes a decade as the world's busiest international airport.
• 2024 – DXB surpasses pre-pandemic traffic with 87m guests in 2023.  
• 2023 – DXB held its position as the world’s number one international airport for the 9^th year.
• 2022 – DXB exceeds forecast with annual traffic surpassing 66.1m guests.
• 2022 – A 24/7 bilingual customer care centre launched to support guests across channels.
• 2022 – DXB’s Northern Runway closed for refurbishment from May 9 to June 22; 100+ daily flights move to DWC.
• 2022 – DXB is the busiest international airport for the eighth year with 29.1m guests in 2021.
• 2021 – DXB returns to 100% capacity in December following the re-opening of Concourse A.
• 2021 – DXB reopens Terminal 1 on June 24, which was closed on March 25 due to the pandemic.
• 2021 – Dubai Airports and DHA open a 20,000 sq-foot lab with capacity for processing 100K PCR tests daily on June 22.
• 2021 – Business Traveller readers vote DXB as the world’s best airport for the first time.
• 2021 – DXB achieves Airport Health Accreditation from ACI for its health, safety and hygiene.
• 2021 – DXB is the world’s busiest airport for the seventh year with 25.9 million guests in 2020.
• 2020 – DXB celebrates 60^th Anniversary.
• 2020 – DXB welcomes back international travellers from July 7, after suspension of operations on March 25 due to the pandemic.
• 2020 – Repatriation flights continue to operate at DXB, helping 400,000 people to get home.
• 2020 – Operations at DXB are suspended on March 25, 2020, to combat the spread of Covid-19.
• 2019 – DXB welcomes 89.1m guests in 2018, retaining title of the world’s busiest international airport for the 5^th year.
• 2019 – DXB achieves Level 3 of ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme.
• 2019 – DXB unveils 15,000-panel solar array at Terminal 2, the region's largest at an airport.
• 2018 – DWC passenger terminal expanded from 5m to 26m guests annually.
• 2018 – DXB welcomes its one billionth international passenger.
• 2016 – DXB opens the USD1.2b Concourse D, to serve 60+ international airlines at Terminal 1.
• 2014 – All cargo carriers’ operations moved from DXB to DWC.
• 2014 – DXB welcomes 70.4m guests in 2014, remains world’s number 1 international airport.
• 2013 – DWC opened its doors to passengers on October 27, 2013.
• 2013 – Concourse A, the world’s largest facility purpose built for the A380 opens at DXB.
• 2010 – Dubai Airports opens the first phase of DWC for cargo operations on June 27.
• 2009 – Guest numbers reaches 40.9m, making DXB the world’s fastest growing airport.
• 2009 – Work begins on Concourse A, the A380 dedicated facility for Emirates’ super jumbo fleet.
• 2009 – Terminal 2 undergoes major refurbishment for the launch of flydubai.
• 2008 – DXB Terminal 3, the world's largest terminal at the time, opens.
• 2007 – The DCA is restructured to form Dubai Airports and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
• 2002 – DXB was ranked the second fastest growing airport in the world according to ACI.  
• 2000 – DXB opens AED 2b Concourse C, increasing capacity from 10 to 23m guests.
• 1998 – Guest numbers more than doubled in a decade to 9.7 million by 1998.
• 1998 – Terminal 2 opens, increasing DXB’s capacity by 2m guests annually.
• 1988 – Guest numbers at DXB reach 4.3m.
• 1985 – Emirates airline is launched.
• 1984 – DXB opened a second runway with advanced systems, earning Category II status.
• 1983 – DDF begins operations, records annual turnover of US$20m in its inaugural year.
• 1980 – DXB becomes an ordinary member of the ACI on December 23.
• 1970 – The 70s witnessed many developments across DXB, including a new 3-storey terminal, a new ATC tower, taxiways, extensions of a runway and aprons, and new airfield lighting and landing instrument.
• 1969 – DXB accommodated nine airlines serving a total of 20 destinations.
• 1965 – DXB’s unveils its first asphalt runway.
• 1963 – Work to build an asphalt runway begin.
• 1960 – The airport comprising a sand compacted runway, and a small terminal building was opened on September 30 and was capable of handling aircraft up to the size of a DC-3.
• 1959 – Work to build ‘Dubai airport’ began on a vast expanse of a wasteland some 4km from what was then the edge of the city of Dubai.