Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed a massive 23.4 million passengers in just the first three months of the year
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is off to a flying start in 2025, welcoming a massive 23.4 million passengers in just the first three months of the year.
That’s a 1.5 per cent jump compared to the same period in 2024, and a strong signal that DXB is charging full steam ahead.
January, in particular, was incredible. The airport saw its busiest month ever, handling a staggering 8.5 million travellers.
It’s not just about the runways and terminals; this milestone reflects the tireless work of thousands behind the scenes keeping the world’s busiest international hub running like clockwork.
Top destinations: India leads the pack
India continues to be DXB’s biggest source of traffic, clocking in at 3 million passengers in Q1.
It was followed by Saudi Arabia (1.9 million), the UK (1.5 million), Pakistan (1 million), the US (804,000), and Germany (738,000).
Zooming in on cities, London held the crown with 935,000 guests, while Riyadh (759,000), Jeddah (627,000), Mumbai (615,000), and New Delhi (564,000) rounded out the top five.
Leisure travel soars on holiday demand
It wasn’t just business or transit travel fueling the surge. Leisure travel took off in a big way too, thanks to seasonal demand at the start of the year, Eid holidays, and spring breaks.
Destinations like the Czech Republic, Vietnam, and Spain saw double-digit growth, reflecting how eager people were to get out and explore.
Operations running like clockwork
Despite the record traffic, DXB kept things smooth. The airport handled 111,000 flight movements in Q1; up 1.9 per cent year-on-year; with an average of 215 passengers per flight.
Even with all that movement, more than 21 million bags were processed with impressive accuracy. The baggage mishandling rate? Just 1.95 bags per 1,000 guests; a 99.8 per cent success rate.
Meanwhile, over 95 per cent of travellers breezed through key airport checkpoints, thanks in part to smart tech like real-time monitoring and biometric passport controls.
With this kind of momentum, 2025 could well be a banner year for DXB;
and for the millions of travellers passing through its gates.
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