UAE airports surpass 1 billion passengers in a decade, with Dubai International leading global aviation growth. H1 2025 sees record traffic, new destinations, and rising aircraft movements across the nation.
By Imran Malik
DUBAI – The UAE’s aviation sector has soared to unprecedented heights, welcoming over one billion passengers between 2015 and 2024, solidifying the country’s status as a global hub for air travel.
Passenger traffic across UAE airports rose from 114.8 million in 2015 to 147.8 million in 2024, while total aircraft movements during the decade exceeded 6.4 million. The momentum has carried into 2025, with 75.4 million passengers recorded in the first half of the year, up 5% from the same period last year. January alone saw a record 13.7 million travelers.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) led the charge, welcoming 46 million guests in H1 2025—its busiest first half on record. Despite regional airspace disruptions in May and June, DXB registered a 2.3% year-on-year growth, underscoring the resilience of Dubai’s aviation sector.
UAE national carriers further expanded their global reach by launching flights to 15 new destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, including Poland, Vietnam, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Air traffic also surged, with UAE airports handling 531,000 aircraft movements in H1 2025, a 6.2% increase compared to nearly 500,000 during the same period last year. The busiest weekly routes were to Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Mumbai, and Bahrain.
As the UAE accelerates its aviation expansion, Dubai and its national carriers continue to cement the nation’s role as the world’s aviation crossroads, connecting continents and redefining passenger mobility.
