Dubai International Airport has maintained its leading position in the Air Connectivity Index for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions for 2023, as reported by the Airports Council International. According to Dubai Airports, Dubai International Airport boasts an exceptional status as a global aviation hub, connecting the emirate to over 256 destinations in 102 countries. This extensive network of flights allows a significant flow of passengers and goods to Dubai, enhancing its status as a center for business, trade, and tourism.
It is noted that Dubai International Airport houses Emirates Airlines, the largest international carrier, operating a fleet of 260 wide-body aircraft. According to the report, Dubai is followed by Doha and Riyadh in the Middle East, which can be attributed to the major airlines headquartered there that serve extensive global networks.
The Airports Council International report confirms that the UAE is at the forefront of countries that have liberalized airspaces in the Middle East, achieving notable growth in overall air connectivity. The quarterly index for the first quarter of 2024 indicates that airports have improved their direct connectivity by an average of 59% compared to the same quarter of 2023. In the third quarter of 2024, airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions are expected to increase seat capacity by an average of 10%.
The report states, "In 2024, the highest increase in seat capacity will largely be for direct flights to and from China. The Asia-Pacific region will see key markets dependent on Chinese traffic gradually improving their connectivity. For the Middle East, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, along with Riyadh, will be in the spotlight, having added significant capacity to a variety of destinations."
The Middle East region, which recorded a growth of nearly 4% in passenger traffic in 2023 compared to 2019, is on a recovery path, having delayed only 5% behind 2019 levels in air connectivity. According to the report, Dubai International Airport ranked first in the air connectivity index for 2023 across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, followed by Tokyo Haneda Airport and Guangzhou Airport.
