The line graph compares the number of passengers who used Dubai, Singapore and Frankfurt airports between 2000 and 2020, in millions.
Overall, passenger numbers rose at all three airports until 2016 and then fell steeply by 2020. Dubai grew the most, while Frankfurt was the busiest airport at the start of the period but not at the end of the growth phase.
Frankfurt began with 49 million passengers, well ahead of Singapore at 28 million and Dubai at 10 million. Its numbers grew slowly but steadily, to 54 million in 2008 and 61 million in 2016. Dubai expanded far faster, from 10 million to 17 million in 2004 and 37 million in 2008, when it drew level with Singapore. It overtook Frankfurt in 2012, with 58 million against 57 million, and peaked at 83 million in 2016.
Singapore rose from 28 million to 30 million in 2004 and 37 million in 2008, then to 51 million in 2012 and 59 million in 2016.
All three airports suffered a severe decline between 2016 and 2020. Dubai's figure fell to 26 million, Frankfurt's to 19 million and Singapore's to only 12 million, the lowest of the three.