The Dubai-Riyadh air route has secured its place among the world’s top 10 busiest international routes for 2024, with over 4.3 million seats available. According to UK-based travel data provider OAG, this marks an 8% growth from last year and a significant 34% increase compared to 2019.

This surge in air traffic highlights the rapid growth of inter-GCC travel, often referred to as “revenge travel,” as restrictions from the 2020 pandemic have eased. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been actively promoting tourism, with Dubai maintaining its reputation as a regional tourism hub and Saudi Arabia drawing visitors to new attractions like Neom and Al Ula.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has also been breaking records. As Khaleej Times reported, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasized the airport’s commitment to growth, resilience, and delivering exceptional service. He stated that DXB remains a key focus, with ongoing investments in technology and customer service aimed at enhancing the travel experience.

Globally, air travel is dominated by Asia, with seven of the world’s busiest international routes located there. Leading the list in 2024 is the Hong Kong-Taipei route, which recorded 6.8 million seats, followed by Cairo-Jeddah with 5.5 million seats. Other top routes include Seoul to Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, and Bangkok to Singapore.

In the Middle East, Dubai-Riyadh stands out, competing with other major routes across continents, such as New York to London and Jakarta to Singapore, further solidifying its importance in global aviation.