The new world’s busiest international airport is …

by CNN staff
Published 2:09 AM EST, Wed January 28, 2015
Dubai International has just released its 2014 traffic report, in which it reported a total of 70.4 million passengers in 2014, up 6.1% over the previous year. That puts it ahead of London's Heathrow, which reported around 68.1 million international passengers in 2014.
Most international passengers —
Dubai International has just released its 2014 traffic report, in which it reported a total of 70.4 million passengers in 2014, up 6.1% over the previous year. That puts it ahead of London's Heathrow, which reported around 68.1 million international passengers in 2014.
Courtesy Dubai International Airport
For the first time in a decade, Chicago's O'Hare topped Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson in total flights by more than 13,000 in 2014. But although 2014 global stats are pending, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/22/travel/busiest-airport-atlanta-chicago-feat/">year-to-date figures suggest</a> that Atlanta will still be the busiest airport in the world based on overall passenger traffic (domestic and international).
World's busiest airport —
For the first time in a decade, Chicago's O'Hare topped Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson in total flights by more than 13,000 in 2014. But although 2014 global stats are pending, year-to-date figures suggest that Atlanta will still be the busiest airport in the world based on overall passenger traffic (domestic and international).
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Holding the record for the world's closest airports are the gateways to Papa Westray and Westray, neighboring islands in the Scottish Orkneys. A flight between the two takes an average of 96 seconds (2 minutes if you include taxiing time).
World's closest airports —
Holding the record for the world's closest airports are the gateways to Papa Westray and Westray, neighboring islands in the Scottish Orkneys. A flight between the two takes an average of 96 seconds (2 minutes if you include taxiing time).
Google Maps
The world's shortest commercially serviceable runway is at Juancho E.Yrausquin Airport on the island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean. The runway is just 396 meters (1,300 feet) in length; most aircraft carriers are only slightly longer than this.
World's shortest runway —
The world's shortest commercially serviceable runway is at Juancho E.Yrausquin Airport on the island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean. The runway is just 396 meters (1,300 feet) in length; most aircraft carriers are only slightly longer than this.
Courtesy Fentener Van Vlissingen
The world's highest airport sits at 14,219 feet above sea level. Surrounded by mountains, Qamdo Bangda Airport in Tibet operates a scheduled airline service but requires an extra-long runway (13,794 feet) to accommodate the extended stopping distance caused by the lack of atmospheric resistance at that altitude.
Highest airport in the world —
The world's highest airport sits at 14,219 feet above sea level. Surrounded by mountains, Qamdo Bangda Airport in Tibet operates a scheduled airline service but requires an extra-long runway (13,794 feet) to accommodate the extended stopping distance caused by the lack of atmospheric resistance at that altitude.
Courtesy Eric Finlayson
At a reported $20 billion, Hong Kong International Airport is one of the most expensive airport construction projects. It is also the world's busiest airport for cargo (freight and mail) and international freight (excluding mail).
Busiest cargo airport —
At a reported $20 billion, Hong Kong International Airport is one of the most expensive airport construction projects. It is also the world's busiest airport for cargo (freight and mail) and international freight (excluding mail).
Courtesy Hong Kong International Airport
Mataveri International Airport on Easter Island is the world's most isolated airport, situated a remote 3,759 km from the nearest city -- Santiago, Chile.
World's most isolated airport —
Mataveri International Airport on Easter Island is the world's most isolated airport, situated a remote 3,759 km from the nearest city -- Santiago, Chile.
Google maps
Dubai overtakes Heathrow as world's busiest airport
CNN  — 

For the first time ever, Dubai International Airport has overtaken London’s Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport for international traffic.

Dubai Airports released its year-end traffic report on Tuesday, in which it reported a total of 70.4 million passengers in 2014, up 6.1% over the previous year.

In comparison, Heathrow reported around 68.1 million international passengers in 2014.

“This historic milestone is the culmination of over five decades of double-digit average growth that were inspired by the vision of the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum,” said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, in a statement.

“The shared goal is to make Dubai a global center of aviation and we are nearing that goal thanks to an open skies policy, a friendly business environment, Dubai’s growing attractiveness as a center for trade, commerce and tourism, growing network connectivity due to the rapid expansion of Emirates and flydubai and timely investment in aviation infrastructure.”

The figures are somewhat surprising given Dubai International’s aircraft movements totaled 357,339 in 2013, down 3.4% from 2013.

This decrease was primarily due to the temporary reduction of flights during an 80-day runway refurbishment project during the summer, with some operations shifted to Al Maktoum International, Dubai’s second airport, at Dubai World Central (DWC).

So how did Dubai International end up with more passengers in 2014?

In 2014, the number of passengers per flight increased 5.1 percent to 208.3 for the full year.

The airport attributes this boost to the ongoing increase in the number of wide-bodied aircraft servicing the facility.

Dubai-based airline Emirates has 57 A380s, making it the world’s largest operator of the double-deck, wide-body jet.

“Much like 2014, 2015 promises to be another eventful year featuring more record passenger numbers and facility upgrades including the opening of Concourse D which will boost Dubai International’s capacity to 90 million,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

The airport also released 2015 traffic projections this week, saying it expected to see 79 million passengers this year.

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