Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed 23.4 million guests in the first quarter of 2025, maintaining strong momentum and reinforcing its position as the world’s leading international airport. Traffic was up 1.5 percent compared to the record-breaking Q1 last year.
January alone saw the highest monthly traffic ever recorded at DXB, welcoming 8.5 million guests, an achievement made possible not just by infrastructure, but by the coordinated effort of thousands of people behind the scenes.
“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 across baggage, guest flow, and accessibility is no small feat. It requires precision, agility and an extraordinary team effort,” stated Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
India remains DXB’s top destination country
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. India retained its position as DXB’s top destination country, with 3 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia at 1.9 million, the UK at 1.5 million, Pakistan at 1 million, the U.S. at 804,000, and Germany at 738,000. At the city level, London led with 935,000 guests, followed by Riyadh at 759,000, Jeddah at 627,000, Mumbai at 615,000, and New Delhi at 564,000.
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 percent), Vietnam (+28.6 percent), and Spain (+20.2 percent).
Cargo volumes registered a minor contraction of 3.6 percent year-on-year during the first quarter, with DXB handling 517,000 tons of cargo.
“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,” added Griffiths.
Flight movements hit 111,000
DXB also recorded 111,000 flight movements in Q1, up 1.9 percent 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 percent.
Meanwhile, the use of real-time monitoring systems and biometric passport control helped ensure that more than 95 percent of guests experienced minimal wait times across key airport touchpoints. Accessibility enhancements, including dedicated services for People of Determination and guests with hidden disabilities, further demonstrate DXB’s commitment to inclusive, guest-centric travel.
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World’s busiest international airport
A strong organizational culture backs this consistency. In Q1, Dubai Airports was recognized with the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, a reflection of its long-standing investment in employee wellbeing, engagement and leadership development.
In March, DXB was also named the world’s busiest international airport by Airports Council International (ACI) for the 11th consecutive year. The airport connects travellers to 269 destinations in 106 countries, served by 101 international carriers.
