DXB Welcomes 23.4 Million Guests In First Quarter Of 2025, Showcasing Strong Growth

Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed 23.4 million visitors in the first quarter of 2025, maintaining its status as the top international airport globally. This performance highlights Dubai's increasing allure as a global hub and DXB's role as a preferred gateway for many travellers. Despite a record-breaking start last year, traffic rose by 1.5% compared to the same period in 2024.

January marked a milestone with DXB recording its highest monthly traffic ever, accommodating 8.5 million guests. This achievement was not solely due to infrastructure but also the coordinated efforts of numerous individuals working behind the scenes. The dedication of the oneDXB community, including Dubai Airports' teams and partners, plays a crucial role in ensuring operational excellence translates into outstanding guest experiences.

India remained DXB’s top destination country with 3 million visitors, followed by Saudi Arabia at 1.9 million, and the UK with 1.5 million guests. Pakistan saw 1 million visitors, while the US and Germany had 804,000 and 738,000 respectively. On a city level, London led with 935,000 guests, trailed by Riyadh at 759,000 and Jeddah at 627,000.

Leisure travel experienced significant growth during this period due to seasonal peaks at the year's start, Eid holidays, and spring break. Destinations like the Czech Republic saw a traffic increase of 30.6%, Vietnam rose by 28.6%, and Spain by 20.2%. These figures reflect a robust demand for leisure travel during these times.

The airport processed over 21 million bags in Q1 with fewer than 1.95 mishandled bags per 1,000 guests—a success rate of 99.8%. Real-time monitoring systems and biometric passport controls ensured that more than 95% of guests experienced minimal wait times across key touchpoints at DXB.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, stated: "Our Q1 performance sets a strong foundation for the year ahead... Delivering the busiest month in DXB’s history while maintaining exceptional service levels cross baggage, guest flow, and accessibility is no small feat." He emphasised that this success is due to the collective effort of their community.

Cargo Handling and Flight Movements

Cargo volumes saw a slight decrease of 3.6% year-on-year during Q1 with DXB handling approximately 517,000 tonnes of cargo. Meanwhile, flight movements increased by 1.9% compared to last year’s same period with an average of about 215 passengers per flight.

In March, Airports Council International (ACI) named DXB as the world’s busiest international airport for the eleventh consecutive year. The airport connects travellers to an impressive network of destinations—269 cities across 106 countries served by over a hundred international carriers.

Commitment to Inclusivity and Recognition

DXB has enhanced accessibility services for People of Determination and those with hidden disabilities demonstrating its commitment to inclusive travel experiences. This consistency is supported by strong organisational culture; Dubai Airports received recognition through Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for its investment in employee wellbeing.

A notable incident involved DXB's Lost and Found team who swiftly recovered AED102,000 in cash along with passports within half an hour after it was reported missing—providing peace of mind during difficult times for two brothers travelling home after receiving sad news about their family member.

An immigration officer named Abdullah Al Baloushi was praised by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his kind gesture towards a departing guest in a wheelchair: "A salute to whoever brings a smile or joy to a traveller’s heart." Such acts exemplify Dubai's spirit towards hospitality.

With inputs from WAM