Dubai Airports Boost Winter Travel with Record-Breaking Network Expansion, New Routes, and Increased Flights for Global Travelers

Published on December 19, 2025

As the winter travel season kicks off, Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) have achieved their largest-ever combined flight network. This expansion, marked by new routes and increased flight frequencies, offers passengers enhanced connectivity and more flight options during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

New Airline Additions and Expanded Connectivity

Dubai’s two airports have witnessed a significant increase in airline participation this winter, reflecting both growing demand and an improving global travel landscape. Among the new arrivals is FlyArystan, which began twice-weekly flights from Aktau, Kazakhstan, on November 29. This addition strengthens Dubai’s connectivity to Central Asia, offering passengers more travel options in this growing region.

Austrian Airlines has also made a return to Dubai, resuming its daily service from Vienna starting December 2. This re-establishment of services strengthens Dubai’s links to Central Europe, reflecting continued demand from the region.

Virgin Atlantic has made a notable move by deploying the A350-1000 on its Dubai route. This upgrade has resulted in a 52% increase in seat capacity, signaling the airline’s confidence in the market. British Airways has similarly expanded its Dubai services by restoring A380 operations from London Heathrow, further enhancing capacity on this busy route.

The regional market has also benefitted from new additions. Varesh Airline launched twice-weekly flights from Sari, Iran, on October 20, while Fly Jinnah introduced twice-weekly services from Lahore on November 2. These new routes cater to the increasing demand for regional travel to and from Dubai during the winter season.

Strong Growth in Saudi Arabian Traffic

Among the standout growth stories this winter is the substantial increase in traffic from Saudi Arabia. This market has become one of Dubai’s most vital sources of passengers, with Saudi Arabia now ranking as DXB’s second-largest country market, accounting for 7.8% of total passenger traffic as of October 2025.

Passenger volumes from Saudi Arabia have grown steadily, reaching 6.3 million across both DXB and DWC. This marks a modest increase of 1.3% year-on-year, reflecting sustained demand from the Kingdom. However, the real story lies at DWC, where passenger traffic soared by 459% to 173,000. This surge in demand highlights DWC’s expanding role in handling regional traffic, particularly from Saudi Arabia, and its growing importance within Dubai’s broader aviation ecosystem.

Dubai World Central’s Rising Role

While Dubai International remains the primary hub for the emirate’s aviation operations, Dubai World Central (DWC) is playing an increasingly significant role, particularly in catering to travelers heading to both Eastern and Western Europe. In the first 10 months of 2025, DWC handled 1.1 million passengers, a remarkable 36.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth underscores DWC’s rising prominence in Dubai’s aviation network.

DWC’s rise is not only evident in passenger numbers. The airport has also seen a continued increase in both aircraft movements and cargo volumes, further reinforcing its strategic position. The addition of new routes, increased frequencies, and the growing number of airlines operating from DWC are contributing to the airport’s expanding role in meeting the region’s travel needs.

Eurowings Contributes to DWC’s Winter Growth

One of the key players in DWC’s winter growth is German airline Eurowings, which is significantly boosting services to and from Dubai. The airline has launched a daily service from Stuttgart to DXB, alongside three weekly flights from Düsseldorf to DWC. Additionally, Eurowings has increased its frequencies to Berlin, Cologne, and Hannover, with the introduction of its Premium Bizclass offering on the Berlin route. This premium service expansion caters to both leisure and business travelers, providing more choice for passengers traveling between Dubai and Germany.

Eurowings’ expansion at DWC is part of the broader trend of airlines using Dubai’s secondary airport to complement their existing services at DXB. The increase in frequencies to key German cities further demonstrates the strong demand for travel between Dubai and Germany, reflecting the ongoing growth in European passenger traffic.

Conclusion: Dubai Airports Capitalize on Rising Winter Demand

Dubai’s aviation network is poised to offer travelers more options than ever this winter, thanks to the expanded flight network at both DXB and DWC. New airlines, increased frequencies, and a strengthened presence from major carriers highlight the city’s strategic role in the global travel market. With rising demand from key markets such as Saudi Arabia, Central Asia, and Europe, Dubai Airports are well-positioned to handle the surge in winter travel.

As DWC continues to grow in importance, the expansion of services by airlines like Eurowings and the addition of new routes from regional carriers such as FlyArystan and Fly Jinnah signal a robust winter season for Dubai’s aviation industry. The increased connectivity not only reflects the strong recovery of global air travel but also demonstrates the increasing diversification of Dubai’s transport network.