emirates7 - Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed 46 million passengers in the first half of 2025, setting a new record for its busiest first half ever.
This 2.3% year-on-year increase reflects the airport’s resilience and the strength of Dubai’s aviation sector, especially considering temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June. The performance highlights DXB’s vital role in supporting Dubai’s global connectivity and economic momentum.
In the second quarter alone, DXB served 22.5 million passengers—up 3.1% from the same period in 2024. April was the standout month, setting a record as the busiest April to date with 8 million travelers.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasized that DXB’s steady growth amid regional challenges demonstrates the strength of Dubai and the UAE, as well as the flexibility and dedication of the airport team. He credited the “oneDXB” approach for enabling smooth operations and maintaining a high-quality passenger experience.
Looking ahead, travel activity is expected to rise sharply in the second half of 2025, beginning with a busy late-summer period and continuing through a winter season full of major global events in entertainment, sports, and business. A key highlight will be the Dubai Air2025, which is poised to break previous records and spotlight the bold vision shaping the future of aviation.
Griffiths noted that, based on current performance and favorable forecasts, DXB anticipates reaching 96 million passengers by the end of 2025—bringing it closer to the symbolic 100 million mark.
Average monthly traffic during the first half reached around 7.7 million, with daily volumes averaging 254,000 passengers. January was the busiest month, with 8.5 million guests—setting a new monthly record.
Between January and June, DXB operated 222,000 flights. The airport maintained a strong average load factor of 76%, and processed 41.8 million bags, 91% of which were delivered within 45 minutes of arrival. The mishandled baggage rate stood at just 2 per 1,000 passengers, well below the global 2024 average of 6.3, according to SITA.
DXB is on pace to handle more than 85 million bags by year-end, exceeding its 2024 record of 81.2 million. The busiest baggage days were January 3 to 5, when daily volumes hit 300,000.
Efficiency remained high across all guest touchpoints: 99.2% of travelers cleared outbound passport control in under 10 minutes, 98.4% cleared arrivals in under 15 minutes, and 98.7% passed through security in less than 5 minutes.
India was DXB’s largest source market in the first half, with 5.9 million travelers, followed by Saudi Arabia (3.6 million), the UK (3.0 million), Pakistan (2.1 million), and the US (1.6 million). London led as the top city destination with 1.8 million passengers, followed by Riyadh (1.5 million), Mumbai (1.2 million), Jeddah and New Delhi (1.1 million each), and Istanbul (982,000).
DXB also processed just over 1 million tonnes of cargo, a slight 0.1% increase year-on-year, underscoring its strategic role in global logistics.
Currently, the airport is connected to over 269 destinations across 107 countries via more than 92 international carriers—affirming Dubai’s position as a key global hub for tourism, trade, and investment.
With the second half of the year already underway, DXB is gearing up for another surge in international travel, driven by school reopenings, peak holiday periods, and a full winter events calendar. The Dubai Air2025 will be a standout event, showcasing both regional aviation leadership and the innovation driving its future.
This 2.3% year-on-year increase reflects the airport’s resilience and the strength of Dubai’s aviation sector, especially considering temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June. The performance highlights DXB’s vital role in supporting Dubai’s global connectivity and economic momentum.
In the second quarter alone, DXB served 22.5 million passengers—up 3.1% from the same period in 2024. April was the standout month, setting a record as the busiest April to date with 8 million travelers.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasized that DXB’s steady growth amid regional challenges demonstrates the strength of Dubai and the UAE, as well as the flexibility and dedication of the airport team. He credited the “oneDXB” approach for enabling smooth operations and maintaining a high-quality passenger experience.
Looking ahead, travel activity is expected to rise sharply in the second half of 2025, beginning with a busy late-summer period and continuing through a winter season full of major global events in entertainment, sports, and business. A key highlight will be the Dubai Air2025, which is poised to break previous records and spotlight the bold vision shaping the future of aviation.
Griffiths noted that, based on current performance and favorable forecasts, DXB anticipates reaching 96 million passengers by the end of 2025—bringing it closer to the symbolic 100 million mark.
Average monthly traffic during the first half reached around 7.7 million, with daily volumes averaging 254,000 passengers. January was the busiest month, with 8.5 million guests—setting a new monthly record.
Between January and June, DXB operated 222,000 flights. The airport maintained a strong average load factor of 76%, and processed 41.8 million bags, 91% of which were delivered within 45 minutes of arrival. The mishandled baggage rate stood at just 2 per 1,000 passengers, well below the global 2024 average of 6.3, according to SITA.
DXB is on pace to handle more than 85 million bags by year-end, exceeding its 2024 record of 81.2 million. The busiest baggage days were January 3 to 5, when daily volumes hit 300,000.
Efficiency remained high across all guest touchpoints: 99.2% of travelers cleared outbound passport control in under 10 minutes, 98.4% cleared arrivals in under 15 minutes, and 98.7% passed through security in less than 5 minutes.
India was DXB’s largest source market in the first half, with 5.9 million travelers, followed by Saudi Arabia (3.6 million), the UK (3.0 million), Pakistan (2.1 million), and the US (1.6 million). London led as the top city destination with 1.8 million passengers, followed by Riyadh (1.5 million), Mumbai (1.2 million), Jeddah and New Delhi (1.1 million each), and Istanbul (982,000).
DXB also processed just over 1 million tonnes of cargo, a slight 0.1% increase year-on-year, underscoring its strategic role in global logistics.
Currently, the airport is connected to over 269 destinations across 107 countries via more than 92 international carriers—affirming Dubai’s position as a key global hub for tourism, trade, and investment.
With the second half of the year already underway, DXB is gearing up for another surge in international travel, driven by school reopenings, peak holiday periods, and a full winter events calendar. The Dubai Air2025 will be a standout event, showcasing both regional aviation leadership and the innovation driving its future.