In the first quarter of 2025, Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 23.4 million guests, maintaining its status as one of the busiest airports globally, thanks to Dubai’s strong appeal to global tourism.
DXB: A Leader in Global Air Travel?
Passenger traffic increased by 1.5% compared to the same period in 2024, despite a record-breaking Q1 last year. In January 2025, DXB recorded its highest-ever monthly traffic, with 8.5 million guests.
The city also hosted numerous events, cultural gatherings, and festivals in January, further driving the influx of visitors.
India retained its position as DXB’s top destination country, with 3 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia (1.9 million), the UK (1.5 million), Pakistan (1 million), the US (804,000), and Germany (738,000). At the city level, London led with 935,000 guests, followed by Riyadh (759,000), Jeddah (627,000), Mumbai (615,000), and New Delhi (564,000).
Leisure travel also saw a surge during the quarter, driven by a seasonal peak at the start of the year, the Eid holidays, and spring break, with double-digit increases in traffic to destinations such as the Czech Republic (+30.6%), Vietnam (+28.6%), and Spain (+20.2%).
Cargo volumes registered a slight contraction of 3.6% year-on-year during the first quarter, with DXB handling 517,000 tonnes of cargo.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, “Our Q1 performance sets a strong foundation for the year ahead, not only in terms of guest numbers but also in the calibre of the people behind them. Delivering the busiest month in DXB’s history while maintaining exceptional service levels across baggage, guest flow, and accessibility is no small feat. It requires precision, agility, and an extraordinary team effort.”
“What makes this possible is the collective effort of our oneDXB community, with each member playing a critical role at every touchpoint. This shared culture of collaboration and consistency elevates our performance and ensures we meet the growing expectations of our guests, every single day,” he added.
