158 million passengers will pass through the country’s airports during 2025

The Director General of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saif Al Suwaidi, revealed that passenger traffic through the UAE’s airports reached 158 million passengers during the year 2025, in a clear indication of the strong momentum that the aviation sector continues to achieve, and the consolidation of the country’s position as a major global center for travel and air transport.

Al Suwaidi said, in statements to “Emirates Today” on the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2026, that the volume of air freight through the country’s airports rose to 4.8 million tons during the past year, which reflects the continued growth in trade and logistics services, and the pivotal role that the UAE plays in global supply chains.

He explained that the civil aviation sector in the UAE recorded a strong performance during the year 2025, noting that the UAE airspace witnessed more than one million air movements during the year, a number that reflects the high efficiency of air traffic management, the advanced infrastructure of airports and navigation systems.

Al Suwaidi added: “These are important numbers that reflect the strength and flexibility of the sector, and we expect civil aviation to continue achieving strong performance during the coming period,” pointing out that the national carriers’ aviation network serves more than 350 cities around the world, which strengthens the UAE’s position as a major link between East and West.

He pointed out that this growth is driven by several factors, most notably the continued expansion of national airline fleets, the increase in destinations, and the high demand for international travel, in addition to continued investments in developing airports, digital services, and smart technologies, which raises operating efficiency and the quality of travelers’ experience.

He stressed that air freight constitutes an essential pillar of the UAE aviation system, pointing out that the country’s airports have become global logistical centers linking Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Al Suwaidi added that the positive performance of the sector also reflects the flexible policies and supportive legislation adopted by the UAE, in addition to the close cooperation between government agencies, airlines and airports, ensuring sustainable growth and enhancing global competitiveness.

He stressed that the civil aviation sector will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting the national economy, diversifying sources of income, and strengthening the UAE’s position as a global destination for business, tourism and logistics services.