Dubai International Airport (DXB) achieved record-breaking performance in the first half of 2025, handling approximately 46 million passengers — marking the highest first-half passenger traffic in its history.
According to a press release issued by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), this represents a 2.3% year-on-year increase and reflects the continued strength and resilience of Dubai’s aviation sector, despite regional airspace disruptions during May and June, reports Al-Jarida daily.
In the second quarter alone, the airport welcomed 22.5 million passengers, a 3.1% rise compared to the same period in 2024. April stood out as the busiest month ever at DXB, with 8 million passengers recorded across all terminals.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasized that this growth amid regional challenges underscores the operational efficiency of the airport and the strength of Dubai and the UAE as global travel hubs.
Projections for the second half of the year, he said, remain optimistic, with expectations of a surge in travel demand during the late summer and winter seasons, which are traditionally rich with entertainment, sporting, and business events. Passenger traffic is expected to reach 96 million by year-end, positioning DXB to potentially surpass the 100 million passenger milestone.
In operational statistics, monthly average traffic during H1 2025 was 7.7 million passengers, with a daily average of 254,000. January was the busiest month, with 8.5 million passengers—the highest monthly figure on record.
Dubai International Airport also handled more than 222,000 flights during the first half of the year, with a seat load factor of 76%. Baggage handling performance remained strong, with 41.8 million bags processed and 91% delivered within 45 minutes of arrival. The rate of delayed baggage stood at just two bags per 1,000 passengers, significantly better than the 2024 global average of 6.3.
