Overview
- DXB handled 95.2 million passengers in 2025, up 3.1% year over year, recording its busiest day, December (8.7 million) and fourth quarter (25.1 million) while operating near physical limits.
- Dubai Airports projects about 99.5 million travelers in 2026, and CEO Paul Griffiths said the forecast is conservative with hopes of reaching roughly 100 million by year-end.
- Dubai is advancing a $35 billion upgrade at Al Maktoum International, targeting a 150 million–passenger first phase by 2032 and an eventual 260 million, with operations planned to shift there around 2032.
- Growth is powered by Emirates’ network expansion and tourism—19.6 million international overnight visitors in 2025—with Emirates planning to hire about 20,000 operational staff over five years.
- India led DXB’s country markets with 11.9 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia and the UK, while China, Egypt and Italy posted double‑digit gains; Griffiths said regional tensions have had only short, limited effects on overall flows.