"Dubai International Airport is now the world's busiest for international passengers. Jolyon Attwooll traces an astonishing rise
Are you a regular long-haul flier? Then the chances are you have stopped in Dubai recently – and you would be far from alone.
Much is written about the staggering growth of Dubai, a destination that – whatever your views on its tourist attractions, or lack thereof – has become impossible to ignore.
Somewhat less is said about the equally towering ambitions held for the city’s airport, a development that has planted the emirate squarely at the crossroads of the world’s air traffic.
To relatively little fanfare, its inexorable surge to becoming the world’s busiest international passenger hub was confirmed late last month - knocking Heathrow off the top spot.
Data released by the Airports Council International showed that almost 69 million (68.9m) international passengers had passed through the airport in the 12 months to the end of September, compared to 67.8m in Heathrow."