Dubai International records its strongest quarter ever as passenger traffic hits new highs
Dubai International has achieved the highest quarterly traffic in its 65-year history, welcoming 24.2 million guests between July and September 2025, a rise of 1.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. The exceptional third quarter performance pushed total traffic for the first nine months to a record 70.1 million guests, reflecting a 2.1 percent year on year increase. The airport’s twelve-month rolling figure at the end of September stood at 93.8 million guests, marking its strongest performance to date.
Operational momentum remained strong. DXB recorded 115,000 flights during the third quarter, while total aircraft movements between January and September reached 336,000, up 2.7 percent year on year. The average number of guests per flight stood at 213. The airport also maintained excellent baggage performance, handling 63.8 million bags during the nine-month period, a rise of 6.2 percent, with 90 percent delivered to guests within 45 minutes of arrival. Mishandled baggage accuracy remained at 99.9 percent, amounting to only two bags per 1,000 guests.
Dubai Airports continues to focus on enhancing guest experience across the entire airport. Several large scale projects are underway, including CB Central in Terminal 3, which will showcase leading brands and signature Dubai experiences. CB East will offer a family-friendly environment featuring entertainment zones and popular eateries, while CB West will add premium retail and casual dining options. In Terminal 1, CD Central will feature panoramic views of the airfield, refreshed dwell areas and improved access to key retail stores.
Alongside these upgrades, planning for the expansion of Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International has accelerated. Set to become Dubai’s main international gateway in the early 2030s, DWC is being built as a future-ready global aviation hub focused on efficiency, sustainability and next-generation passenger experience.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, “These record-breaking results reflect the continued strength of Dubai’s aviation and tourism sectors, and the collective efforts of our oneDXB airport community. Yet, it also reinforces the importance of what comes next. The vision for DWC goes beyond capacity expansion. It represents the reimaging and evolution of the entire travel experience. Our goal is not just to grow, but to grow intelligently by combining technology, sustainability, and a superior guest experience that will shape the future of global travel.”
DXB delivered exceptional performance at passport control and security screening throughout the peak quarter. During the period, 99.6 percent of departing guests cleared passport control in under ten minutes, while 99.8 percent of arriving guests cleared in under fifteen minutes. Security screening times remained below five minutes for 99.7 percent of travellers.
India remained DXB’s largest country market during the first nine months of the year with 8.8 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia with 5.5 million, the United Kingdom with 4.6 million, Pakistan with 3.2 million and the United States with 2.4 million. London led all city destinations with 2.8 million guests, followed by Riyadh, Mumbai, Jeddah and New Delhi.
DXB also remained a gateway for outbound leisure travel, with Malaysia, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Uzbekistan and Denmark emerging as popular choices for travellers departing Dubai.
The strong performance reinforces Dubai’s status as a global aviation and economic powerhouse where tourism, trade and connectivity continue to drive long-term growth.
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