The airports of the Emirate of Dubai handled around 2022 million passengers in 21,8. The vast majority used Dubai International Airport (DXB). In total, the city had 23,7 million tourists.

In a direct comparison with 2021, there were 81,3 percent more passengers at DXB and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). In the previous period, both airports together had around 12,05 million passengers. In relation to the total number of tourists: the city of Dubai was able to increase by 89 percent.

At the end of November 2022, Dubai Airports, the operator of DXB and DWC, had already announced that the strong tourist flows in the third quarter of 2022 had prompted the company to reassess its estimates for year-end passenger numbers and increase them to 64,3 million. However, not all passengers who landed in DXB or DWC will exit the airports, as more than 63% of total passengers in 2018 were transit travellers.

The region was at the forefront of the World Cup-related travel boom as football fans flocked to the Gulf States to attend the tournament in Qatar, where limited accommodation options meant many fans stayed in neighboring countries.

"The deployment of technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things has enabled Dubai airports to provide all visitors with exceptional digital services and travel experiences, solidifying Dubai's reputation as a top tourism, business and lifestyle destination," he said Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, the Director General of the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs of Dubai.