Dubai Records 46 Million Visitors in First Half of 2025, Setting Fresh Half-Year Milestone
Dubai International Airport Breaks Record with 46 Million Passengers in First Half of 2025
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is on track to handle a staggering 96 million passengers by the end of 2025, according to official forecasts. This projected figure represents a 2.3% growth compared to 2024, when the airport recorded its highest annual figure to date with 92.3 million passengers.
The airport's impressive performance is evident in the record-breaking 46 million passengers it logged in the first half of 2025. This equates to an average monthly traffic of about 7.7 million passengers. Despite airspace disruptions due to the Iran-Israel conflict in May and June, passenger numbers remained strong and recovered quickly.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths anticipates reaching the 96 million passenger mark in 2025 and expects the number to increase to 100 million in 2026. Longer-term, DXB and the Al Maktoum International expansion are expected to significantly increase capacity, with projections of 115 million passengers by 2032 after a large $35 billion terminal opens.
The UK, the US, Jeddah, New Delhi, and Istanbul are among the top countries and cities contributing to DXB's passenger traffic. India was the largest country market for DXB with 5.9 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.6 million. Riyadh was the second most popular city destination with 1.5 million passengers, while London topped the list with 1.8 million passengers.
DXB is supported by 92 international carriers and is now connected to 269 destinations in over 107 countries. The airport managed 222,000 flights in the first half of 2025 and served 22.5 million passengers in Q2 alone. Cargo volumes at DXB reached just over 1 million tonnes.
The mishandled baggage rate at DXB was 2 per 1,000 passengers, significantly below the 2024 industry average of 6.3. This exemplifies DXB's commitment to providing a seamless travel experience for its passengers.
The Dubai Airshow 2025 and the winter event season are expected to play a central role in Dubai's continued economic and aviation momentum. DXB is reinforcing its role in tourism, trade, and investment, positioning itself as a global hub for travel and commerce.
Paul Griffiths attributes the growth to Dubai's agility, strong aviation infrastructure, and the effectiveness of its oneDXB operational model. April 2025 was the busiest month for DXB with 8 million guests, while January 2025 was the busiest month overall with 8.5 million passengers. With these numbers, it's clear that DXB is not just breaking records—it's setting new standards for global aviation.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) expects to handle 100 million passengers in 2026, a projected increase from the anticipated 96 million passengers in 2025.
- The growth at Dubai International Airport is significant, with the airport serving 22.5 million passengers in Q2 alone during the first half of 2025.
- Apart from facilitating travel, Dubai International Airport also plays a vital role in tourism, trade, and investment, positioning itself as a global hub for commerce.
- With the expected opening of a new $35 billion terminal, Dubai International Airport and the Al Maktoum International expansion are projected to increase capacity to 115 million passengers by 2032, setting new standards for global aviation.
