Dubai International Airport passengers are projected to reach 78.4 million in 2015

Dubai International announced it is set to clock up more than 71 million passengers by the end of the year and could overtake the current busiest airport in the world - Heathrow. Passenger traffic at Dubai International rose 5.7 per cent in October putting the airport on track to eclipse the 71 million passenger mark according to the latest traffic report issued by operator Dubai Airports. Dubai Airports estimate passenger numbers are projected to reach 78.4 million in 2015 and 103.5 million by 2020. The report said the sector would grow to contribute £33.9 billion ($53.1 billion) - equivalent to 37.5 per cent of GDP - by 2020. Dubai International Airport is the busiest airport in the Middle East. It served 66.4 million passengers in 2013, and is expected to host more than 100 million in 2020. Also ranked among the world's busiest airports, Dubai International has established itself as a major hub linking the West with Asia and Australasia.