Dubai Anticipates Over 3.6 Million Visitors During the Busy Back-to-School Travel Period
Dubai International Airport (DXB) Prepared for Record-Breaking Back-to-School Travel Period
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is gearing up for a busy travel season, with over 3.6 million passengers expected to pass through its terminals during the back-to-school travel period from August 13 to 25, 2025.
This surge in travel follows a strong first half of 2025 for DXB, which already handled over 46 million passengers, reinforcing its position as the world's busiest international airport. The airport's preparations emphasize efficient airport operations, passenger convenience, and special assistance for People of Determination to accommodate the expected record volumes smoothly and safely.
To manage the influx of passengers, DXB is collaborating closely with its oneDXB community—comprising airlines, control authorities, commercial, and service partners—to ensure seamless airport operations, including fast passenger processing and effective crowd management.
Key operational and passenger-focused arrangements include:
- Smart Gates for expedited passport control: Available for UAE residents and travelers with biometrics recorded, these gates facilitate quicker clearance especially for families and travelers over 12.
- Enhanced support for People of Determination: This includes marked accessibility routes, discreet assistance for those wearing the Sunflower Lanyard (a symbol indicating hidden disabilities), and a dedicated Assisted Travel Lounge located in Terminal 2 to provide comfort and specialized services.
- Passenger convenience measures: Passengers are advised to keep travel documents ready to speed processing, and make use of amenities such as lounges, dining, and duty-free outlets.
- Transport options to and from DXB: The Dubai Metro (Red Line) connects Terminals 1 and 3 with the city and is a convenient option, with specified baggage limits and operating hours. Other options include taxis (with variable waiting times), ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem, and car rentals.
- Parking management: With no free pick-up zones, passengers picking up travelers are encouraged to use the paid multi-level parking facilities at Terminals 1 and 3 to avoid congestion.
Friday, August 15, is projected to be the peak day with traffic exceeding 290,000 travelers. This surge in travel follows a record-breaking first half of 2025 for Dubai's tourism and aviation sectors, with Dubai welcoming 9.88 million international overnight visitors, a 6% increase compared to last year.
DXB's preparations for the August 2025 back-to-school period underscore its commitment to supporting Dubai's tourism growth. The airport is dedicated to ensuring a seamless travel experience for all passengers, making it an ideal gateway for residents and visitors alike during this busy period.
[1] Dubai Airports (2025). Preparing for the August 2025 back-to-school travel peak. [Online] Available at: https://www.dubaiairports.ae/news/preparing-for-the-august-2025-back-to-school-travel-peak
[2] Dubai Tourism (2025). Dubai welcomes 9.88 million international overnight visitors during the first half of 2025, a 6% increase compared to last year. [Online] Available at: https://www.dubaitourism.ae/en/media-centre/press-releases/dubai-welcomes-9-88-million-international-overnight-visitors-during-the-first-half-of-2025-a-6-increase-compared-to-last-year
[3] Dubai Metro (2025). Travelling to and from DXB. [Online] Available at: https://www.dubaimetro.eu/en/travel-information/travelling-to-and-from-dxb
[4] Dubai Airports (2025). DXB continues to be a central hub for global travel, connecting millions of people each month. [Online] Available at: https://www.dubaiairports.ae/news/dxb-continues-to-be-a-central-hub-for-global-travel-connecting-millions-of-people-each-month
[5] Careem (2025). Getting to and from DXB. [Online] Available at: https://help.careem.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043907293-Getting-to-and-from-DXB
- The surge in travel during the back-to-school period at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is not only a testament to the airport's efficiency in handling a high volume of passengers but also a significant contributor to the local tourism community's economy.
- Dubai's tourism sector, bolstered by the record-breaking passenger traffic at DXB, experienced a 6% increase in international overnight visitors during the first half of 2025, underlining the city's allure as a popular travel destination.
- Financial institutions and investors, taking note of the general-news reports on the record-breaking traffic at DXB and the robust growth in the tourism sector, may consider Dubai an attractive location for long-term investments, particularly in lifestyle industries like hospitality and retail.
