Record January leads to Q1 traffic growth at Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled 23.4 million passengers in the first quarter of 2025, maintaining its strong momentum and, according to operator Dubai Airports, “reinforcing its position as the world’s leading international airport”.

The performance reflects both Dubai’s growing appeal as a global destination and DXB’s continued role as the gateway of choice for millions of travellers.

Traffic was up 1.5% compared to the same period in 2024, despite a record-breaking Q1 last year.

January alone saw the highest monthly traffic ever recorded at the airport with 8.5 million passengers passing through DXB’s facilities.

India retained its position as DXB’s top destination country, accounting for more than three million passengers. Leisure travel also surged during the quarter, driven by a seasonal peak at the start of the year, Eid holidays, and spring break, with double-digit increases in traffic to destinations such as the Czech Republic (+30.6%), Vietnam (+28.6%), and Spain (+20.2%).

Cargo volumes registered a minor contraction of 3.6% year-on-year during the first quarter, with DXB handling 517,000 tonnes of cargo.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “Our Q1 performance sets a strong foundation for the year ahead, not only in terms of guest numbers, but in the calibre of the people behind them.

“Delivering the busiest month in DXB’s history while maintaining exceptional service levels cross baggage, guest flow, and accessibility is no small feat. It requires precision, agility, and an extraordinary team effort.

“What makes this possible is the collective effort of our oneDXB community, with each member playing a critical role across every touchpoint. This shared culture of collaboration and consistency is what elevates our performance and ensures we meet the growing expectations of our guests, every single day.”

DXB also recorded 111,000 flight movements in Q1, up 1.9% over the same period last year, with an average of 215 guests per flight.

Despite the continued growth in guest volumes, DXB sustained high levels of operational efficiency. More than 21 million bags were processed in Q1, with the rate of mishandled baggage reduced to fewer than 1.95 bags per 1,000 guests, translating to a success rate of 99.8%.