Dubai International Airport records 95.2 million passengers in 2025, targets near-100 million in 2026

The milestone places DXB firmly back into growth mode, with traffic rising 3.1 per cent year-on-year and setting the stage for a projected 99.5 million passengers in 2026, just short of the symbolic 100-million mark.

December and Q4 set new records

Dubai International’s growth in 2025 was defined by consistency rather than a single peak period. The airport registered its busiest day, month, quarter, and full year on record.

December emerged as the busiest month in DXB’s history, handling 8.7 million passengers, up 6.1 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier. The final quarter of the year, from October to December, also set a new record with 25.1 million travellers, reflecting a 5.9 per cent increase.

Aircraft movements rose in line with passenger numbers. The airport recorded 118,000 flights in the fourth quarter, bringing the annual total to 454,800 movements. Aircraft operated with higher efficiency, averaging 214 passengers per flight, while the overall load factor reached 77.6 per cent.

Record traffic becomes the norm

Dubai Airports Chief Executive Officer Paul Griffiths said the numbers reflect DXB’s ability to operate at scale without disruption.

He noted that airports are often judged by how they manage peak moments, but long-term performance depends on sustaining those peaks consistently. According to Griffiths, record volumes are no longer an exception at DXB but part of daily operations, supported by strong coordination across the airport’s ecosystem.

The airport has now raised its 2026 traffic forecast to 99.5 million passengers, signalling continued momentum in global travel demand.

Passenger experience remains stable

Despite operating close to capacity, DXB maintained stable processing times throughout the year. The airport handled 86.75 million bags in 2025, nearly 5 per cent more than in 2024, with almost 90 per cent of arriving baggage delivered within 45 minutes.

Border control and security wait times also remained efficient. Most departing passengers cleared passport control in under 10 minutes, while arriving travellers typically waited less than 15 minutes. Security queues stayed below five minutes for the majority of passengers.

India remains top market

India continued to lead as DXB’s largest country market, contributing 11.9 million passengers in 2025. Saudi Arabia followed with 7.5 million, the United Kingdom with 6.3 million, Pakistan with 4.3 million, and the United States with 3.3 million.

Several routes showed strong growth during the year. Passenger traffic from China rose 16.6 per cent, Egypt increased 14.3 per cent, and Italy grew 12.5 per cent.

London retained its position as DXB’s busiest city destination with 3.9 million passengers, followed by Riyadh, Mumbai, Jeddah, and New Delhi.

By the end of 2025, Dubai International was connected to 291 destinations across 110 countries, served by 108 international airlines.

Looking ahead

As passenger volumes continue to rise, long-term capacity planning is gaining focus. Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International is expected to play a growing role in supporting the emirate’s future aviation expansion.

For now, Dubai International Airport’s performance suggests that handling traffic levels approaching 100 million passengers annually has become part of normal operations rather than a stress test.