Travellers' logs at Dubai airport reach new heights in the initial six months.

Dubai International Airport Projected to See Record Passenger Traffic in 2025

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to welcome an estimated 96 million passengers in 2025, according to Dubai Airports. This projection represents a growth from the record 92.3 million passengers in 2024 and follows a strong first half of 2025, which saw 46 million passengers despite some regional airspace disruptions.

January 2025 was the busiest month on record, with 8.5 million guests. The average monthly traffic for the first six months of 2025 stood at around 7.7 million passengers, equating to approximately 254,000 daily travellers.

Dubai Airports' CEO, Paul Griffiths, made a statement about the growth, acknowledging the resilience of the aviation sector. He expressed optimism about the second half of 2025, predicting an acceleration in travel activity.

The current airport, Dubai International Airport, is nearing capacity, with plans to manage growing demand by expanding capacity at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Dubai Airports has major expansion plans aimed at relocating and expanding operations there by 2032. The plan includes a $35 billion investment to develop a new terminal with an eventual capacity of about 240 million passengers per year, making it the world's largest airport by a wide margin.

The expansion and relocation will be done in phases, and the 2032 target aligns with the anticipated growth in the region's air traffic. In 2024, Dubai International Airport recorded its highest annual passenger traffic in history, totalling 92.3 million. Dubai Airports reported a 2.3% year-on-year growth in the first half of 2025.

The top three countries for passenger traffic to and from Dubai are India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. Despite temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June, this growth occurred, demonstrating the robustness of Dubai's aviation sector.

The article is copyrighted by AFP in 2025. It's worth noting that in the past, there have been cancellations of flights to many Middle East destinations during conflicts such as the 12-day Iran-Israel war. However, the resilience of Dubai's aviation sector remains evident in its continued growth.

| Airport | Projected Passenger Traffic in 2025 | Expansion Plans | |----------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Dubai International Airport (DXB) | 96 million passengers | Currently near capacity; forecast growth to 115 million by 2032 | | Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) | N/A (current traffic lower) | $35 billion phased development to reach 240 million capacity by 2032, becoming world's largest airport |

[1] Dubai Airports. (2025). Dubai International Airport sets new passenger record in 2024. Retrieved from https://www.dubaiairports.ae/media-centre/press-releases/dubai-international-airport-sets-new-passenger-record-in-2024

[2] Dubai Airports. (2025). Dubai International Airport records its busiest first half on record in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.dubaiairports.ae/media-centre/press-releases/dubai-international-airport-records-its-busiest-first-half-on-record-in-2025

[3] Dubai Airports. (2025). Dubai Airports announces $35 billion expansion plan for Al Maktoum International. Retrieved from https://www.dubaiairports.ae/media-centre/press-releases/dubai-airports-announces-35-billion-expansion-plan-for-al-maktoum-international

[4] Dubai Airports. (2025). Dubai Airports releases 2025 traffic figures. Retrieved from https://www.dubaiairports.ae/media-centre/press-releases/dubai-airports-releases-2025-traffic-figures

[5] Dubai Airports. (2025). Dubai Airports reports strong first half despite regional airspace disruptions. Retrieved from https://www.dubaiairports.ae/media-centre/press-releases/dubai-airports-reports-strong-first-half-despite-regional-airspace-disruptions

Passengers from India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom are amongst the top three nationalities driving traffic at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in 2025.
As Dubai International Airport (DXB) approaches its capacity limit, the United Kingdom, being one of the top countries for passenger traffic, may benefit from the planned expansion of Al Maktouom International Airport (DWC), set to become the world's largest with a capacity of 240 million passengers per year.
With record passenger traffic and growth projections in the airlines sector in 2025, the lifestyle and travel sectors in the United Kingdom might witness an increase in demand for flights to and from the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai.
In a region marked by economic growth and fostering international relations, India and Israel could explore opportunities for sports diplomacy, potentially strengthening their ties through sporting events in Dubai, given the increased air travel activity between their nations and the United Arab Emirates.