Dubai replaces Heathrow as busiest airport

CNBC ^ | January 12, 2014 | Joel Lewin

[C19fan]

Dubai leapfrogged Heathrow to become the world's busiest airport for international passengers in 2014, the head of the Gulf hub said on Monday.

Dubai International airport dealt with about 71m international passengers in 2014, according to chief executive Paul Griffiths, surpassing the 68.1 million that passed through Heathrow.

"Heathrow is losing a lot of traffic to Dubai because we're able to cater for the connections that Heathrow no longer has the capacity to service," said Mr Griffiths, referring to how the UK's largest airport is operating at near full capacity on its two runways.

[C19fan]

Only been to Heathrow once 20 years ago. If I was an international traveler Dubai seems a lot nicer than Heathrow.

[deadrock]

Well there are less muslims in Dubai, so it safer.

[RayChuang88]

Here's the difference: Dubai's terminals are generally MUCH nicer than London Heathrow's terminals (unless you fly British Airways, which uses the very modern Terminal 5). They're rebuilding the other Heathrow terminals with way better amenities, but those will take years to finish.

[ctdonath2]

Where is Atlanta ranked?

[Timocrat]

Where is Atlanta ranked?

Everywhere that has anybody who has passed thru Hartsfield. It's so rank that it should never even be ranked.

[thefactor]

These airports are 4,400 miles apart. How can one be stealing layover traffic from the other?

[rrrod]

LOL excellent..and true!

[Rannug]

I remember when Bien Hoa was

[SeaHawkFan]

Before there was a major airport in Dubai and long-range jets, the options for flying from much of the world to the U.S. required making a connection in a major European airport.

There is also a whole lot more travel between countries in the region surrounding Dubai.