Sri Lanka
USA
Canada
India
UK
UAE
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has set a new benchmark in global aviation, welcoming 95.2 million passengers in 2025—the highest annual international traffic ever recorded at any airport, the world’s busiest hub announced Wednesday. This represents a 3.1% increase compared to 2024 and signals that record-breaking traffic at DXB is no longer an exceptional event but the norm.
Consistency at Record Levels
What made 2025 remarkable was DXB’s ability to sustain peak performance throughout the year. The airport recorded its busiest day, month, quarter, and year on record while maintaining efficient passenger flow. December alone became the busiest month in DXB’s history, handling 8.7 million passengers, a 6.1% increase year on year. The October-to-December quarter saw 25.1 million passengers, the strongest quarter ever, rising 5.9% from the previous year.
Aircraft Movements and Load Factors
Flight operations also saw growth, with 118,000 movements in Q4, bringing the annual total to 454,800 flights. Despite the increased number of flights, planes were operating fuller than ever, averaging 214 passengers per flight, with a yearly load factor of 77.6%. Looking ahead, DXB projects 99.5 million passengers in 2026, just shy of the milestone 100 million mark.
Record Traffic Becomes Routine
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasized that the achievement reflects the airport’s ability to manage high volumes consistently. “Airports are often judged by moments of intensity, but long-term success is measured by sustaining that performance,” Griffiths said. “In 2025, DXB proved that record traffic is now part of its operating reality. This consistency demonstrates the maturity of our system and the strength of collaboration across the oneDXB community.”
Maintaining a Smooth Passenger Experience
Handling massive numbers is one challenge; ensuring a seamless traveler experience is another. DXB processed 86.75 million bags in 2025, nearly 5% more than the previous year, with almost 90% of arriving bags delivered within 45 minutes. Passport control and security remained efficient, with nearly all departing passengers cleared in under 10 minutes and most arrivals in under 15 minutes. Security queues were under five minutes for the vast majority of travelers.
DXB’s ability to combine record-breaking traffic with consistent operational efficiency underscores its position as the world’s leading international hub and sets the stage for another record year in 2026.
