Dubai International Airport (DXB) recorded its busiest ever first half, handling 46 million passengers in the first six months of 2025, according to new data released by Dubai Airports.
The 2.3% year-on-year increase comes despite temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June. Officials say the growth highlights the resilience of Dubai’s aviation sector and the airport’s role in supporting the city’s global connectivity and economic activity.
Second quarter performance
In the second quarter alone, DXB served 22.5 million passengers, up 3.1% compared to the same period last year. April was the busiest month of the quarter, with 8 million travellers, marking a record for the month.
“DXB’s continued growth through a period of regional challenges highlights the strength of Dubai and the UAE, the agility of our operations, and the commitment of our airport community,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
“The oneDXB mindset once again enabled us to manage disruption while elevating the guest experience and ensuring seamless global connectivity.”
Daily traffic and baggage handling
Monthly average traffic stood at 7.7 million passengers, with daily volumes reaching 254,000. January was the airport’s busiest month, hitting a new record of 8.5 million passengers.
DXB handled 222,000 flights in the first half of 2025, with a load factor of 76%. The airport processed 41.8 million bags during this period, and 91% were delivered within 45 minutes of arrival. The mishandled baggage rate remained low at 2 per 1,000 passengers, well below the 2024 industry average of 6.3, according to SITA.
Efficiency across key checkpoints also remained high. In H1, 99.2% of travellers cleared departure passport control in under 10 minutes, while 98.4% cleared arrivals in under 15 minutes. Security checks were completed within 5 minutes for 98.7% of passengers.
Key destinations and markets
India remained DXB’s top country market with 5.9 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia (3.6 million), the UK (3.0 million), Pakistan (2.1 million), and the US (1.6 million).
Top city destinations included:
London (1.8 million)
Riyadh (1.5 million)
Mumbai (1.2 million)
Jeddah and New Delhi (1.1 million each)
Istanbul (982,000)
Cargo and air connectivity
DXB handled just over 1 million tonnes of cargo in H1 2025, a slight 0.1% rise year-on-year. The airport continues to play a key role in regional and global logistics.
Currently, the airport is connected to over 269 destinations across 107 countries, with services operated by more than 92 international airlines.
Outlook for 2025
Griffiths said DXB expects traffic to reach 96 million passengers by the end of the year, moving closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone.
“As we enter the second half of the year, travel activity is expected to accelerate, beginning with the late-summer peak and leading into a winter season filled with high-profile events across entertainment, sport, and business,” he said.
“A standout moment will be the Dubai Airshow 2025, which is set to surpass previous records and showcase the bold vision shaping the future of aviation and aerospace.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
