More passengers fly from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to London than any other global city, according to the United Arab Emirates’ aviation powerhouse.
Announcing its first quarter results on April 30, 2025, Dubai Airport said that between January and March 2025, those flying to the UK’s capital reached 935,000 passengers followed by 759,000 to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah was the third most popular destination with 627,000 passengers flying to Saudia Arabia’s second largest city, followed by Mumbai (615,000) and New Delhi (564,000).
Overall, in the first quarter Dubai Airport saw a 1.5% increase in guest numbers from 2024 to reach 23.4 million travelers.
Although London led the top city destination, most passengers in the first quarter flew to India (3 million) followed by Saudi Arabia (1.9 million), UK (1.5 million), Pakistan (1 million), US (804,000), and Germany (738,000).
There were also big rises in the number of passengers flying to Czech Republic (+30.6%), Vietnam (+28.6%), and Spain (+20.2%).
“Our Q1 performance sets a strong foundation for the year ahead, not only in terms of guest numbers, but in the caliber of the people behind them. Delivering the busiest month in DXB’s history while maintaining exceptional service levels cross baggage, guest flow, and accessibility is no small feat. It requires precision, agility, and an extraordinary team effort,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market on April 30, 2025, Griffiths told an audience that once the expansion at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is completed Dubai Airport will close, according to Skift.
He added that once Al Maktoum Airport is fully operational the “focus will shift there” and Dubai Airport will be redeveloped.
Other Dubai Airport first quarter updates included cargo volumes registering a “minor contraction” of 3.6% year-on-year during with 517,000 tons of cargo managed.
Dubai Airport also recorded 111,000 flight movements during the first quarter, up 1.9% over the same period last year, with an average of 215 guests per flight.
In March 2025, Dubai Airport was also named the world’s busiest international airport by Airports Council International (ACI) for the 11th consecutive year.