The UAE is at the top of the global leadership in travel and aviation

Abu Dhabi, February 13 / WAM / The aviation sector in the UAE continues to write new chapters of brilliance and leadership in the sky and on the ground, with the country’s airports turning into a lifeline and strategic centers linking the continents of the world, and a noticeable expansion in the network of international destinations for national carriers.

The performance results announced by the country’s airports during the year 2025 revealed record numbers and achievements that touch the horizon. The results also confirmed that these airports are no longer just air gates limited to facilitating travel only, but go beyond that to providing exceptional experiences for travelers through innovative services that make every flight a story of exceptional excellence.

In detail, Dubai International Airport recorded an unprecedented record in 2025, as it received 95.2 million passengers, achieving a growth of 3.1% compared to the previous year. The year 2025 was the busiest in the airport’s history, as the number of passengers recorded record daily, monthly and quarterly peaks, with a noticeable growth in flights, which reached a total of 454,800 flights.

The airport witnessed a noticeable improvement in the efficiency of operations, as it maintained a high level of operational excellence despite this great congestion. Baggage handling at the airport also achieved a record level, as 86.75 million bags were processed during the year 2025.

With enhanced air connectivity, Dubai International Airport is now connected to 291 destinations in 110 countries via 108 international airlines, strengthening its position as one of the most air-connected airports in the world.

In turn, Abu Dhabi airports witnessed significant growth in passenger traffic in 2025, as it received more than 33 million passengers, achieving the largest annual flow of passengers in its history.

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi recorded 8.59 million passengers during the last quarter of 2025, an increase of 13.8% over the previous year, while other Abu Dhabi airports, such as Al Bateen Executive Airport and Al Ain International Airport, continued to achieve growth, which reflects the strengthening of their position as important centers in the air transport network.

The air freight sector also achieved remarkable growth, with about 770,000 tons of freight handled in 2025, which strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a global logistics center.

For its part, Sharjah Airport recorded exceptional results in 2025, achieving a 13.9% growth in the number of passengers to reach 19.48 million passengers, compared to 17.1 million in 2024.

The number of flights increased to 116,657, with an expansion in the network of destinations covering regional and international markets, making Sharjah Airport a vital hub in air connectivity between Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, which contributes to enhancing tourism and commercial traffic.

In a qualitative achievement, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport exceeded the barrier of one million passengers during the year 2025. The total number of passengers reached one million and 303 passengers, achieving remarkable growth compared to the previous year, which reflects the accelerated pace of growth and strengthening the airport’s position as a promising regional hub for air traffic.

The airport witnessed a significant expansion in the flight network. The number of scheduled international flights and destinations increased to 16 international destinations, including India, Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Crossing the one million passengers barrier is a clear indication of the airport’s transition from the category of medium to large airports, which reflects the success of the operational and development plans approved by its management.

The aviation sector is considered one of the main pillars of the UAE’s role in stimulating global tourism, as its airports contribute to facilitating the arrival of tourists from all over the world. Record numbers in passenger traffic throughout the year 2025 have contributed to strengthening the UAE’s position as a major tourist destination, as travelers enjoy a smooth and advanced experience from arrival to departure.

Moreover, the great diversity of destinations that connect UAE airports with major markets around the world, from London to Mumbai, from Beijing to New York, and other global cities, reflects the UAE’s ability to meet the needs of the global tourism market and stimulate cultural, commercial, and leisure tourism.

In this context, national carriers continue to enhance their global reach and expand the number of their international destinations, as Emirates’ network of destinations includes 152 destinations in 79 countries and territories, including 143 destinations for passengers and 9 destinations designated for cargo only, while the Flydubai fleet has reached 97 aircraft connecting to more than 135 destinations in 58 countries, while Etihad Airways has continued to expand its scope to include 91 destinations in more than 50 countries, while Air Arabia has added 30 destinations. New destinations will be added to its global network during the year 2025, bringing the total number of the group’s destinations to 219 destinations, starting from all of its operational centers in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan.

The UAE is constantly investing in improving its infrastructure and developing innovative technological systems to facilitate the traveler experience. For example, Dubai International Airport has maintained a high level of baggage handling accuracy, achieving an accuracy rate of 99.75% during the year 2025.

Airports in the UAE continue to integrate artificial intelligence technologies, self-service platforms, and electronic payment solutions, which enhances the efficiency of operations and the speed of completing procedures.

As an embodiment of its leadership and global excellence, UAE airports won many prestigious awards in 2025, as Dubai International Airport won the 2025 Safety Appreciation Award from Airports Council International, in recognition of advanced security innovations, and Dubai Airports also won the “Exceptional Workplace” award from Gallup, which reflects the unique level of functional harmony in the airport’s work environments.

In Abu Dhabi, Zayed International Airport won the “Best Airport in Shopping Experience” award at the Frontier 2025 Awards, which reflects the quality of experiences provided to travelers, while Sharjah Airport received Level 3+ “Carbon Neutrality” accreditation, within the Carbon Certification Programme, remaining the first in the GCC countries to achieve this major environmental achievement.

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