Summary: Dubai International (DXB) handled 95.2 million passengers in 2025, a 3.1% year‑on‑year increase that made it the busiest year in the airport’s history and the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded.

Dubai International recorded 95.2 million passengers in 2025, up 3.1% from 2024, delivering its busiest year on record and establishing the highest annual international passenger total of any airport.

A record year for DXB

Dubai Airports reported that 2025 was characterised by consistently high performance rather than a single spike. The airport posted its busiest day, month, quarter and full year while operating near physical capacity and maintaining its operational service levels.

Daily and quarterly peaks

December became DXB’s busiest month, handling 8.7 million guests, a rise of 6.1% versus December 2024. The fourth quarter was also the strongest on record, with 25.1 million guests — a 5.9% increase year on year.

  • Annual passengers: 95.2 million (up 3.1% year on year)
  • December 2025: 8.7 million passengers (+6.1% YoY)
  • Q4 2025: 25.1 million passengers (+5.9% YoY)

Flights, load factor and operational metrics

Flight activity rose alongside passenger numbers. DXB recorded 454,800 total flight movements for the year, with movements in the fourth quarter at 118,000. The airport’s average passengers per movement stood at 214, and the annual load factor was 77.6%, representing a small change of 0.5 percentage points compared with the prior year.

  • Q4 flight movements: 118,000 (+5% YoY)
  • Annual flight movements: 454,800 (+3.3% YoY)
  • Average passengers per movement: 214
  • Annual load factor: 77.6% (marginal 0.5 percentage point change)

Baggage volumes also climbed: DXB processed a record 86.75 million bags in 2025, nearly 5% more than in 2024. The airport reported strong delivery performance and low mishandling rates.

  • Bags handled: 86.75 million (+4.95% YoY)
  • 89% of arriving baggage for terminating guests delivered within 45 minutes of aircraft arrival on stand
  • Mishandled baggage performance: 99.75% (2.47 mishandled bags per 1,000 guests)
Passengers inside Dubai International Airport terminal with airplanes visible outside; DXB passenger traffic and airport operations
Dubai International sustained record passenger volumes across 2025 while maintaining service and processing standards

Leading source markets and city routes

India remained DXB’s top country market in 2025, followed by Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan and the United States. Several markets posted strong growth compared with 2024.

  • India: 11.9 million passengers
  • Saudi Arabia: 7.5 million passengers
  • United Kingdom: 6.3 million passengers
  • Pakistan: 4.3 million passengers
  • United States: 3.3 million passengers
  • China: 2.5 million passengers (+16.6%)
  • Russia: 2.8 million (+6.0%)
  • Turkey: 2.2 million (+6.7%)
  • Egypt: 1.8 million (+14.3%)
  • Italy: 1.6 million (+12.5%)

London topped the list of city destinations with 3.9 million guests, followed by Riyadh (3.0 million), Mumbai and Jeddah (2.4 million each) and New Delhi (2.2 million).

Network reach and airline partners

At the close of 2025, DXB offered connections to 291 destinations across 110 countries and was served by 108 international carriers, underscoring its role as a major global hub.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said:

Airports are often defined by moments of intensity, but long-term performance is defined by how well those moments are sustained. In 2025, DXB showed that record traffic is no longer an exception, but part of its operating reality. That consistency at scale reflects the maturity of the system and the strength of collaboration across our oneDXB airport community to deliver excellence under growing demand. We expect traffic to approach 99.5 million in 2026, supported by close coordination across the sector and the oneDXB community.

Outlook for 2026 and the role of DWC

Dubai Airports expects traffic to near 99.5 million in 2026. As demand rises, Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) is slated to play an increasingly complementary role in supporting the emirate’s long‑term aviation capacity.

What this means for travellers and the industry

So what? For travellers, DXB’s record year signals robust connectivity and continued route availability to a wide range of destinations, though peak periods may see terminals operating near capacity. For airlines and the wider sector, the results highlight sustained demand for international travel and the need for coordinated planning across airports, carriers and ground services to preserve performance as volumes grow.