Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed more than 95 million passengers in 2025, solidifying its position as the world’s busiest airport for international travel, according to an announcement by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, writing on X, described DXB as “the lifeline of Dubai,” and highlighted the airport’s efficiency, noting that 98.8% of passengers experienced wait times of under 15 minutes for arrival procedures. The airport handled 454,000 flights throughout the year.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, affirmed the achievement as a demonstration of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision. He stated that DXB received 95.2 million passengers in 2025, representing a 3.1% increase year-over-year, and the highest annual passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport globally.
Dubai Airports anticipates nearly 100 million passengers will travel through DXB in 2026, forecasting 99.5 million passengers, driven by increasing demand in key markets. In 2025, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom remained among the airport’s top destinations, while China, Egypt, and Italy experienced significant growth.
The airport achieved record passenger numbers throughout the year, operating at maximum capacity while maintaining operational excellence, according to Dubai Airports. December was the busiest month in DXB’s history, with 8.7 million passengers, a 6.1% increase year-on-year. The fourth quarter saw 25.1 million passengers, a 5.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Total flight movements reached 454,800 for the year, a 3.3% increase.
To accommodate growing demand, Dubai has announced a major expansion of its second airport, Dubai World Central (DWC), with a $35 billion investment. The expansion is designed to accommodate 150 million passengers annually over the next decade, eventually increasing capacity to 260 million passengers upon completion.
Dubai, a major hub for tourism and commerce in the Middle East, welcomed 19.6 million overnight visitors in 2025, according to official data. The airport serves as a key connecting point for air travel between Europe and Asia.
