On Tuesday, authorities announced that Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed a record-breaking 46 million passengers in the first half of this year, a notable achievement despite disruptions caused by the Iran-Israel war. Dubai Airports confirmed in a statement that the facility recorded its busiest first half ever, showing 2.3% year-on-year growth, even “despite temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June.”
During the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, numerous airlines cancelled flights to various Middle Eastern destinations as some governments temporarily closed their airspace.
For the first six months of 2025, the average monthly traffic at DXB stood at approximately 7.7 million passengers, or 254,000 daily travelers. Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports chief executive, stated, “Based on our performance to date and a positive outlook, we expect the annual traffic to reach 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone.” In 2024, Dubai International Airport recorded its highest annual passenger traffic in history, totaling 92.3 million.
“January was the busiest month of the period and also set a new monthly record, with 8.5 million guests,” the statement highlighted. It further added, “As we enter the second half of the year, travel activity is expected to accelerate.”
The leading countries for passenger traffic to and from Dubai included India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. Situated strategically between Asia, Europe, and Africa, the Emirati city has consistently been ranked as the world’s busiest air hub for international passengers for a decade.
Looking ahead, Dubai plans a $35 billion expansion and relocation of the airport to Al Maktoum International, situated on the city’s outskirts, by 2032. The new airport is slated for phased expansion, with an eventual capacity of around 240 million passengers, which is expected to make it the world’s largest by a significant margin.
