Dubai International Airport (DXB) is edging towards the 100 million passenger milestone after recording its busiest six month start to a year.
Dubai Airport announced on July 29, 2025, that 46 million passengers were welcomed during the first half of the year, representing a 2.3% year-on-year increase.
The record-breaking figures came despite significant disruptions to air travel in the region through May and June 2025.
“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. The oneDXB mindset once again enabled us to manage disruption while elevating the guest experience and ensuring seamless global connectivity,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
The UAE-based airport was particularly pleased with its second quarter performance in which 22.5 million guests were served – an increase of 3.1% over the same period last year.
Dubai International’s first-half performance marks a significant milestone in our journey as the world’s leading international hub.
— HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (@HHAhmedBinSaeed) July 29, 2025
This success demonstrates our focus on delivering exceptional traveller experiences at every touchpoint. DXB’s performance despite regional… pic.twitter.com/y6P6CPkcQ2
April 2025 reportedly emerged as the busiest month of the second quarter, and the most active April on record, with eight million passengers.
Dubai Airport expects the rest of the year to benefit from a late-summer peak and a winter season which includes high-profile events across entertainment, sport, and business.
“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,” added Griffiths.
Dubai Airports predicts that by the end of 2025 its annual passenger traffic will reach 96 million.
The Dubai Airports Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said that the first half year performance marked a “significant milestone in our journey as the world’s leading international hub”.
“This success demonstrates our focus on delivering exceptional traveller experiences at every touchpoint. DXB’s performance despite regional challenges, embodies the confidence, stability and connectivity that define Dubai’s position on the world stage,” he added.
Additional figures for Dubai Airport
- Average monthly traffic in H1 stood at approximately 7.7 million, with daily volumes averaging 254,000.
- January was the busiest month of the period and also set a new monthly record, with 8.5 million guests.
- DXB handled 222,000 total flights during the first half of the year, while the load factor reached 76%.
- India remained DXB’s largest country market in H1 with 5.9 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.6 million, the UK with three million, Pakistan with 2.1 million, and the US with 1.6 million guests.
London was the busiest city destination with 1.8 million passengers, followed by Riyadh with 1.5 million