Dubai Welcomes 23.4 Million Travelers in the First Quarter of 2025

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has achieved a remarkable milestone, welcoming 23.4 million passengers in the first quarter of 2025—a 1.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024, which was already a record-setting year.​

January stood out as the busiest month in DXB’s history, with 8.5 million passengers passing through its terminals. This shows how popular Dubai is becoming around the world and how well the airport can manage large numbers of passengers.

Top Destinations and Travel Trends at DXB in Q1 2025

Dubai International Airport (DXB) saw impressive passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2025, with strong growth from both popular and emerging destinations. The incoming rush of travellers is influenced by major holidays and seasonal breaks, reflecting Dubai’s status as a key global travel hub.

Top Countries by Passenger Numbers:

• India: 3 million passengers
  
• Saudi Arabia: 1.9 million
  
• United Kingdom: 1.5 million
  
• Pakistan: 1 million
  
• United States: 804,000
  
• Germany: 738,000
  

Top Cities by Passenger Volume:

• London: 935,000
  
• Riyadh: 759,000
  
• Jeddah: 627,000
  
• Mumbai: 615,000
  
• New Delhi: 564,000
  

Leisure Travel Trends:

• A major rise in holiday travel is expected due to Eid, spring break, and the early-year seasonal peak.
  
• Strong growth in travel to:
  
  • Czech Republic: +30.6%
    
  • Vietnam: +28.6%
    
  • Spain: +20.2%

Dubai International Airport’s Growth and Global Ranking

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is now expected to welcome 96 million travelers this year, up from the earlier forecast of 94 million, according to Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports.

He said they hope to reach 100 million passengers by the end of 2026.

This would put DXB in close competition with Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in the US, which was the world’s busiest in 2024 with 108 million passengers.

So far, the demand for travel is still strong, even with the uncertainty around new tariffs from US President Donald Trump.

In short, Dubai International Airport is growing fast and becoming one of the world’s busiest airports. It now expects 96 million passengers this year and hopes to reach 100 million by 2026. Thanks to smart planning, strong travel demand, and Dubai’s central location, the airport is playing a big role in global travel. As more people start flying again, DXB is showing that it’s ready to lead the way.