Gulf airports top international rankings for aviation hubs
While the UAE and Qatar have led, Saudi Arabia is racing to catch up after setting a national goal to attract 300 million air passengers by 2030
Hamad international Airport in Doha, Qatar (Getty Images)
Gulf airlines are pouring billions of dollars into building plush landmark airports and vying with each other to be recognized among the world’s top aviation hubs.
In the 2024 World Airport Awards by SkyTrax, Hamad International in Doha overtook Singapore’s Changi to take the top spot, while Dubai International jumped 10 spots to reach seventh place, Arabian Business reports.
Dubai International, the busiest airport in the world in 2023, was voted second-best for 70+ million passenger airports, bested by Tokyo Haneda.
While the UAE and Qatar have led the regional aviation rivalry, Saudi Arabia is trying to make up for lost time after setting a national goal to attract 300 million air passengers by 2030, almost tripling current traffic.
Among the biggest Gulf airport projects currently under construction are the UAE’s Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and Red Sea International Airport on the kingdom’s western coast, Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait City and Oman’s Muscat International Airport.