Dubai International Airport Hits Unbelievable Growth, Serving Twenty-Four Point Two Million Passengers In Q3 2025, As Total Traffic Climbs To Seventy Million For The Year

Published on November 20, 2025

Dubai International Airport has achieved a historic milestone in Q3 2025, welcoming twenty-four point two million passengers, a 1.9% increase compared to last year. This impressive growth highlights the airport’s continued strength as the world’s busiest international hub, underscoring Dubai’s key role in the global aviation sector. The boost in passenger numbers reflects both the recovery of international travel and Dubai’s strategic position as a global transit point, with ongoing enhancements ensuring a seamless experience for travelers.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) achieved a historic milestone in Q3 2025, registering its highest-ever quarterly passenger traffic, with 24.2 million passengers recorded between July and September. This marks a 1.9% year-on-year increase, reflecting continued growth in the aviation sector. This strong performance has contributed to a total of 70.1 million passengers served in the first nine months of the year, representing a 2.1% rise compared to the same period in 2024.

As of September, DXB has maintained its position as the busiest international airport in the world, with its rolling 12-month passenger traffic reaching 93.8 million. The steady rise in passenger numbers underlines Dubai’s central role in global aviation and its ongoing importance in international travel networks.

Aircraft movements during Q3 were equally strong, with 115,000 flights recorded, bringing the total movements for the year-to-date to 336,000, up 2.7% from the previous year. The average number of passengers per aircraft stood at 213, highlighting the airport’s ability to manage high volumes of traffic efficiently.

One of DXB’s key strengths is its operational excellence. Between January and September 2025, the airport processed 63.8 million bags, marking a 6.2% increase from the previous year. The airport maintained an industry-leading bag handling accuracy rate of 99.9%, meaning only two bags were mishandled per 1,000 passengers. In addition, 90% of bags were delivered to passengers within 45 minutes of aircraft arrival.

DXB’s commitment to efficient processing extended to its passenger experience, with 99.6% of departing passengers clearing passport control in under 10 minutes and 99.8% of arrivals doing the same in under 15 minutes. Security screening times also remained exceptional, with 99.7% of passengers processed in under five minutes, ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience for all.

India continues to be the largest source of passenger traffic for DXB, with 8.8 million passengers travelling from the country in 2025. Other leading markets include Saudi Arabia (5.5 million), the United Kingdom (4.6 million), Pakistan (3.2 million), and the United States (2.4 million). London was the busiest city pair, with 2.8 million passengers, followed by Riyadh (2.3 million), Mumbai (1.8 million), Jeddah (1.7 million), and New Delhi (1.6 million).

In line with its ongoing transformation, Dubai Airports is making significant investments in enhancing the passenger experience. Major upgrades are taking place across all terminals, with new dynamic spaces being created in Terminal 3, including CB Central, CB East, and CB West. These modern areas will offer enhanced shopping, dining, and entertainment options to passengers, elevating the overall travel experience.

Additionally, Concourse D will feature CD Central, a newly upgraded passenger zone with panoramic views of the airfield, innovative retail offerings, and improved relaxation areas. These enhancements are part of Dubai Airports’ broader strategy to improve the passenger journey and ensure DXB remains at the forefront of the global aviation industry.

Looking to the future, Dubai Airports is also focused on the continued development of Dubai World Central (DWC), which is envisioned to be a next-generation smart aviation hub. DWC aims to redefine efficiency, connectivity, and sustainability in global travel by the 2030s, further cementing Dubai’s position as a global aviation leader. As Dubai International continues its growth trajectory, the expansion of DWC will provide the infrastructure needed to support future demand and continue driving tourism and trade in the region.