Dubai International Airport records the highest rate of movement of passengers in the first half in its history by receiving 46 million passengers

In confirmation of his position as a major engine for economic growth, Dubai International Airport achieved record performance during the first half of the year 2025 by receiving about 46 million passengers, to record the highest rate of movement of passengers during the first half throughout its date. This annual growth of 2.3% reflects the great momentum enjoyed by the aviation sector in Dubai, and the efficiency of airport operations in maintaining high levels of operation despite the temporary challenges that the region witnessed and the regional airspace was affected during the past May and June, to confirm this achievement again the pivotal role played by Dubai International Airport in linking Dubai to the world and enhancing the economic growth of the emirate.

Dubai International Airport received during the second quarter of this year, 22.5 million passengers, a growth rate of 3.1% compared to the same period in the year 2024, while April during the second quarter of this year was 2025, the most crowded month in the months of April in the history of Dubai International Airport, with 8 million passengers crossing through all its buildings.

Commenting on this, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “The continuous growth of the movement of travelers at Dubai International Airport during a period witnessed many regional challenges, a clear indication of the strength that Dubai and the United Arab Emirates enjoy and the flexibility of our operational operations. Our team and the OneDXB approach also contributed to enhancing our ability to manage challenges efficiently, while maintaining a distinguished travel experience and ensuring continuity Global air linking smoothly. “

He added: “As we enter the second half of the year, we expect the travel movement to witness more momentum, especially with the peak of the late summer and the winter season full of international events in the areas of entertainment, sports and business. The next version of the Dubai Air Show will be 2025 prominent stations that are expected to overcome previous records, and reflect the ambitious vision that draws the features of the future of the aviation and space sectors. The performance achieved so far, and the positive look for the coming months, we expect the total traffic of passengers through Dubai International Airport to reach 96 million passengers by the end of this year, which will enable us to reach the barrier of 100 million passengers.

Performance and efficiency

The average monthly movement of passengers during the first half of the year reached 7.7 million passengers, with a daily average of 254 thousand passengers, while January was the most crowded month in terms of the movement of passengers during the first half, as it recorded a new record monthly amounting to 8.5 million passengers.

During the first half of the year, the airport witnessed the conduct of more than 222 thousand flights, with a rate of load (seat occupancy) by 76%. The airport also dealt efficiently with 41.8 million bags, 91% of which were delivered within 45 minutes from the moment of arrival, while the rate of late bags reached only two bags per 1,000 passengers, in a performance that exceeds the global rate registered in the year 2024 by 6.3 bags per 1000 passengers, according to SITA data, the global provider of telecommunications and information technology services for the aviation sector. It is expected to exceed the bags of bags at Dubai International Airport this year 85 million bags, a number that exceeds the previous record of 81.2 million bags in the year 2024, while the period between 3 and 5 January recorded the highest number in terms of bags that were carried out daily by 300 thousand bags.

In addition, Dubai International Airport maintained exceptional efficiency levels in various service points, with 99.2% of passports passenger gates passed in less than 10 minutes, and completed 98.4% of passports procedures in less than 15 minutes, while 98.7% of travelers completed security inspection procedures within less than 5 minutes. *

Main markets and destinations

India maintained its position as the largest destination for travelers through Dubai International Airport during the first half of this year by 5.9 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.6 million, the United Kingdom with 3 million, Pakistan with 2.1 million passengers, and the United States with 1.6 million passengers. London also topped the list of the most crowded cities in terms of 1.8 million passengers, followed by Riyadh with 1.5 million, then Mumbai with 1.2 million, Jeddah and Delhi with 1.1 million each, followed by Istanbul with 982,000 passengers.

Shipping and bonding atmosphere

Dubai International Airport also completed during the first half of this year, the handling of more than a million tons of shipments, with a slight increase of 0.1% compared to the same period last year, to confirm this exceptional performance the great role played by Dubai International Airport in supporting trade, logistical services and global supply chains.

Dubai International Airport is currently connected to more than 269 destinations in more than 107 countries around the world, through a network of more than 92 international air carriers, which enhances Dubai’s position as a global center for aviation, trade, tourism and investment.

A future look

Coinciding with the entry of the second half of the year 2025, Dubai is preparing for a significant increase in travel, starting from the peak of the season of return to schools and the winter season full of many international events. It is expected that the Dubai Aviation Show will be 2025 prominent stations on the sector’s agenda, as it will reflect the size of the aviation sector in the region and also embody the future vision that leads its growth march and development.