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Dubai International Airport reported a record-breaking 46 million passengers in the first half of this year, despite facing disruptions caused by the Iran-Israel conflict, according to officials on Tuesday. This marks the busiest first half on record for the airport, with a 2.3% increase compared to last year, even with regional airspace closures in May and June.
During the 12-day flare-up in the Iran-Israel war, many airlines canceled flights to various Middle Eastern destinations as some governments shut down their airspace. On average, monthly passenger numbers in the first half of 2025 reached about 7.7 million, or roughly 254,000 travelers daily.
“With our performance so far and a positive outlook, we anticipate total annual traffic to hit around 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the significant milestone of 100 million,” stated Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths.
In 2024, Dubai International set a new record with 92.3 million passengers passing through. January was particularly busy, setting a single-month record with 8.5 million travelers, the statement noted. As the year progresses into its second half, activity is expected to pick up further.
The leading countries for passenger traffic at Dubai are India, Saudi Arabia, and the UK. Located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, Dubai has maintained its status as the world’s busiest international passenger hub for ten years.
Looking ahead, Dubai plans a $35 billion expansion to move operations to Al Maktoum International Airport on the outskirts of the city by 2032. This new facility will be built in phases and aims to reach a capacity of approximately 240 million passengers, potentially making it the largest airport globally by a wide margin.
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