Dubai International Airport handled a record 95.2 million passengers in 2025, pushing its capacity limits ahead of a planned move to a new mega-hub.
DUBAI: Dubai International Airport handled a record 95.2 million passengers last year. The figure represents a 3.1% increase in traffic for the world’s busiest airport for international travel.
The airport is now “operating at the edge of physical capacity while consistently delivering operational excellence,” operator Dubai Airports said. A monthly record of 8.7 million passengers was also set in December.
Passenger traffic is forecast to rise further to 99.5 million this year. CEO Paul Griffiths said the number could reach 115 million before operations transition to the new Al Maktoum International Airport.
The $35 billion facility on Dubai’s outskirts is scheduled for completion in 2032. It will have an initial annual capacity of 150 million passengers, eventually scaling up to 260 million.
Dubai is a key air hub connecting Africa, Asia and Europe. It ranked first for international traffic and second for total passengers behind Atlanta in 2024, according to Airports Council International.
The city also welcomed a record 19.59 million international visitors in 2025. This marked a 5.0% increase from the previous year, its economy and tourism department said.
