Dubai Airports off to a strong start in 2025, welcomes 23.4 million passengers in 3 months

Dubai: Dubai International (DXB) started 2025 with a strong start by serving 23.4 million passengers in the first three months of the year. Data released by Dubai Airports, the operator Dubai’s two airports - DXB and Al Maktoum International (DWC), on Wednesday signals a robust start to the year while maintaining its position as the world’s busiest international airport.

The Q1 figure represents a 1.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, building on the momentum of a record-breaking first quarter last year. January 2025 saw the highest monthly traffic ever recorded at DXB, welcoming 8.5 million passengers – an achievement Dubai Airports noted was made possible “not just by infrastructure, but by the coordinated effort of thousands of people behind the scenes.”

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, “Our Q1 performance sets a strong foundation for the year ahead, not only in guest numbers but in the calibre of the people behind them."

He added, "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.”

India retained its position as DXB’s top destination country with 3 million passengers, 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 passengers, 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 seasonal peaks and holidays, with double-digit increases in traffic to destinations such as the Czech Republic (+30.6 per cent), Vietnam (+28.6 per cent), and Spain (+20.2 per cent).

DXB also recorded 111,000 flight movements in Q1, up 1.9 per cent over the same period last year, with an average of 215 guests per flight. More than 21 million bags were processed in Q1, with the rate of mishandled baggage reduced to fewer than 1.95 bags per 1,000 guests, translating to a success rate of 99.8 per cent.

However, cargo volumes registered a minor contraction of 3.6 per cent year-on-year during the first quarter, with DXB handling 517,000 tonnes of cargo.

This performance contributed to DXB being named the world’s busiest international airport by Airports Council International (ACI) for the 11th consecutive year. The airport connects travellers to 269 destinations in 106 countries, served by 101 international carriers.