Image: Dubai Media office
Dubai International Airport (DXB) recorded its highest quarterly passenger traffic in its 65-year history in Q3 2025, welcoming 24.2 million passengers between July and September, a 1.9 per cent increase from the same period last year, Dubai Airports said on Tuesday.
The strong Q3 performance lifted total passenger traffic for the first nine months of 2025 to 70.1 million, up 2.1 per cen year-on-year. The airport’s rolling 12-month traffic at the end of September reached a record 93.8 million.
Aircraft movements also remained robust, with 115,000 flights recorded in Q3 and 336,000 flights across all categories from January to September, a 2.7 per cent increase year-on-year.
The average number of passengers per aircraft stood at 213.
Dubai Airports said it is investing in terminal enhancements to maintain operational efficiency and improve the passenger experience. Projects underway include CB Central, CB East, and CB West in Terminal 3, offering premium shopping, dining, and family-friendly spaces, as well as CD Central in Terminal 1 with updated dwell areas and improved access to retail.
Looking ahead, Dubai Airports is preparing Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) to eventually become the city’s main international gateway in the early 2030s.
The new airport is being designed as a “smart global aviation hub” with a focus on efficiency, connectivity, and sustainability.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, “These record-breaking results reflect the continued strength of Dubai’s aviation and tourism sectors… The vision for DWC goes beyond capacity expansion – it represents the reimaging and evolution of the entire travel experience.”
Dubai International: DXB attracted travellers from these regions
DXB’s top markets for the first nine months were India (8.8 million passengers), Saudi Arabia (5.5 million), the UK (4.6 million), Pakistan (3.2 million), and the US (2.4 million).
The most popular city destinations included London, Riyadh, Mumbai, Jeddah, and New Delhi.
The airport also recorded strong outbound leisure travel, with Malaysia, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, and Denmark among the top destinations.
Baggage handling and passenger processing continued to perform efficiently.
DXB handled 63.8 million bags in the first nine months, up 6.2 per cent year-on-year, with 90 per cent delivered within 45 minutes.
Passport control and security screening remained rapid, with nearly all passengers cleared within target times.
The record performance highlights Dubai’s position as a global aviation and economic hub, where the airport continues to drive tourism, trade, and investment.
