Dubai International Airport (DXB) continues to break records, registering its highest-ever quarterly passenger traffic during the third quarter of 2025. From July to September, the airport welcomed 24.2 million travelers, marking a 1.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
This outstanding performance lifted the total number of passengers in the first nine months of 2025 to 70.1 million, representing a 2.1% year-on-year growth. Over a 12-month period ending in September, DXB reached a new milestone of 93.8 million passengers—the highest in its 65-year history.
Strong Aircraft Movement and Efficiency
Flight operations remained robust as well. The third quarter alone saw 115,000 flights, while the total number of flights from January to September reached 336,000, reflecting a 2.7% increase compared to the previous year. The average number of passengers per flight stood at 213 by the end of September.
New Development Projects to Transform the Passenger Experience
As DXB continues its exceptional operational performance, Dubai Airports is moving forward with a series of major development projects aimed at enhancing the experience across all concourses.
-
Concourse B Central (CB Central): A flagship retail and hospitality area in Terminal 3, showcasing leading brands and signature Dubai experiences.
-
Concourse B East (CB East): A family-friendly zone featuring a wide variety of dining and entertainment options suitable for all ages.
-
Concourse B West (CB West): Designed to be the new heart of DXB, offering upscale shopping and diverse culinary experiences.
-
Concourse D Central (CD Central): Located at the center of Concourse D in Terminal 1, this area features panoramic views of the airport and includes premium lounges and flagship retail stores.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Aviation in Dubai
With Dubai International Airport nearing its maximum capacity, attention is turning to the Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the city’s main aviation gateway in the early 2030s. Designed to be a smart global aviation hub, the new airport will redefine the future of travel through innovation, sustainability, and a passenger-focused design.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, described the recent success as a reflection of the strength of Dubai’s aviation and tourism sectors, as well as the collaborative spirit of the airport’s wider community, known as oneDXB.
He emphasized that the vision for Al Maktoum International goes beyond increased capacity. It aims to reinvent the entire travel experience, merging cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices to create a new global benchmark in aviation.
“Dubai International Airport is a living symbol of the city’s openness, identity, and human spirit. Our next chapter with Dubai World Central will carry that legacy forward on a much larger and smarter scale,” Griffiths stated.
India Leads as Top Market
India retained its position as the largest source market for DXB during the first nine months of 2025, with 8.8 million travelers. Other top countries included:
-
Saudi Arabia: 5.5 million
-
United Kingdom: 4.6 million
-
Pakistan: 3.2 million
-
United States: 2.4 million
As for top city destinations, London led with 2.8 million passengers, followed by Riyadh (2.3 million), Mumbai (1.8 million), Jeddah (1.7 million), and New Delhi (1.6 million).
A Hub for Global Leisure Travel
DXB continued to strengthen its role as a gateway for international leisure travel. Popular outbound tourist destinations included:
-
Malaysia: 687,000 travelers
-
Vietnam: 493,000
-
Czech Republic: 341,000
-
Uzbekistan: 312,000
-
Denmark: 239,000
Baggage Handling and Service Excellence
Dubai International Airport maintained high operational standards, handling 63.8 million bags in the first nine months of the year—a 6.2% increase from last year and a record for this period. Notably:
-
90% of bags reached passengers within 45 minutes of aircraft arrival
-
Baggage handling accuracy hit 99.9%, with just 2 delayed bags per 1,000 travelers
Seamless Travel Experience
Efficiency remained a top priority across the board:
-
99.6% of departing passengers cleared passport control in under 10 minutes
-
99.8% of arriving passengers completed formalities in under 15 minutes
-
99.7% of travelers passed through security screening in under 5 minutes, even during peak times
A City Defined by Innovation and Ambition
These record-breaking figures reaffirm Dubai’s position as a global economic hub, where aviation plays a key role in supporting tourism, trade, and investment.
With future-ready planning, world-class infrastructure, and a clear vision, Dubai is not just handling today’s travel demand—it is shaping the future of global air travel.
