Dubai International Airport saw a record-breaking 23.4 million passengers in the first quarter of 2025. January alone brought in 8.5 million travelers, the highest monthly total the airport has ever seen. Even with global uncertainty and economic pressure, Dubai Airport continued to grow and strengthen its place as an international travel leader.
Flight activity picked up too, with 111,000 movements during the quarter, a 1.9 percent rise compared to last year. Each flight carried an average of 215 people. On the ground, operations ran smoothly. Over 21 million bags were handled, and fewer than two went missing for every 1,000 passengers. That kind of efficiency is part of what keeps travelers coming back to Dubai Airport.
India led the way in passenger numbers, sending over 3 million people to the UAE. Saudi Arabia followed with 1.9 million, and the UK sent 1.5 million. The US and Pakistan were also key contributors. As for cities, London came out on top, with 935,000 passengers flying in from the UK capital.
Leisure travel is clearly rebounding, too. The number of passengers coming from the Czech Republic jumped by more than 30 percent. Vietnam and Spain weren’t far behind, with increases of 28.6 and 20.2 percent, showing just how far-reaching Dubai Airport’s connections have become.
Dubai Airport Reports Strong H1; Al Maktoum Terminal Plans Advance
Looking ahead, Dubai has big plans. A brand-new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai is in the works. It’s part of a massive 128 billion dirham investment that will completely reshape the city’s aviation landscape. When complete, Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai will be able to welcome up to 260 million passengers a year — more than five times what DXB handles now.
In 2024, Dubai Airport already hit 92.3 million passengers, the highest in the world for international traffic. This year, it’s on pace to reach around 96 million. With its eyes on the future, and major expansions like Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai underway, the emirate is building the kind of infrastructure that will keep it ahead in the aviation game for years to come.
Through it all, Dubai Airport remains a symbol of resilience. Even with shifting travel patterns and global headwinds, it continues to thrive — supported by demand, innovation, and smart long-term planning that includes the rise of Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
