Air passengers in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Air passengers was 91.06 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Air passengers in United Arab Emirates, 1974–2023
Source: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
United Arab Emirates recorded 91.06 million for air passengers in 2023.
That represents a change of up 33.0% on the previous year and up 33.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, air passengers in United Arab Emirates peaked at 95.76 million in 2018 and was at its lowest, 127,500, in 1974.
That places United Arab Emirates 12th out of 183 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Air passengers in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 127,500 | — |
| 1975 | 173,000 | +35.7% |
| 1976 | 240,100 | +38.8% |
| 1977 | 299,800 | +24.9% |
| 1978 | 374,500 | +24.9% |
| 1979 | 456,500 | +21.9% |
| 1980 | 521,500 | +14.2% |
| 1981 | 577,800 | +10.8% |
| 1982 | 569,800 | -1.4% |
| 1983 | 601,800 | +5.6% |
| 1984 | 674,200 | +12.0% |
| 1985 | 717,500 | +6.4% |
| 1986 | 935,200 | +30.3% |
| 1987 | 1.09 million | +16.9% |
| 1988 | 1.33 million | +21.6% |
| 1989 | 1.48 million | +11.4% |
| 1990 | 1.69 million | +13.8% |
| 1991 | 2.04 million | +21.1% |
| 1992 | 2.51 million | +22.9% |
| 1993 | 2.94 million | +17.0% |
| 1994 | 3.37 million | +14.7% |
| 1995 | 3.55 million | +5.4% |
| 1996 | 4.06 million | +14.4% |
| 1997 | 4.72 million | +16.2% |
| 1998 | 5.26 million | +11.5% |
| 1999 | 5.84 million | +11.0% |
| 2000 | 6.89 million | +18.0% |
| 2001 | 7.68 million | +11.4% |
| 2002 | 9.67 million | +25.9% |
| 2003 | 11.61 million | +20.1% |
| 2004 | 14.31 million | +23.3% |
| 2009 | 31.76 million | +121.9% |
| 2010 | 44.95 million | +41.5% |
| 2011 | 50.34 million | +12.0% |
| 2012 | 59.95 million | +19.1% |
| 2013 | 68.15 million | +13.7% |
| 2014 | 75.61 million | +10.9% |
| 2015 | 84.34 million | +11.6% |
| 2016 | 91.76 million | +8.8% |
| 2017 | 95.31 million | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 95.76 million | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 94.00 million | -1.8% |
| 2020 | 26.12 million | -72.2% |
| 2021 | 28.42 million | +8.8% |
| 2022 | 68.47 million | +140.9% |
| 2023 | 91.06 million | +33.0% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 91.06 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.14 million, 10.0× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 91.06 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 6.44 million, 14.1× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Air passengers in United Arab Emirates changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +140.9% | 28.42 million | 68.47 million |
| 2009 | +121.9% | 14.31 million | 31.76 million |
| 2020 | -72.2% | 94.00 million | 26.12 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 278,567 | 127,500 | 456,500 | 6 |
| 1980s | 850,200 | 521,500 | 1.48 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.60 million | 1.69 million | 5.84 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 13.65 million | 6.89 million | 31.76 million | 6 |
| 2010s | 76.02 million | 44.95 million | 95.76 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 53.52 million | 26.12 million | 91.06 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More reference data data for United Arab Emirates
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0407 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.4839 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.6291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0001 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.6291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1364 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.0486 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.91 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0008 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is air passengers in United Arab Emirates?
- Air passengers in United Arab Emirates was 91.06 million in 2023, according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest air passengers recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 95.76 million in 2018.
- What is the lowest air passengers recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 127,500 in 1974.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for air passengers?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 12th out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is air passengers rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 33.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Air passengers. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 46 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Domestic and international passengers of airlines registered in the country. Passengers counted each time they travel.