Dubai International Airport welcomed 95.2 million passengers last year, surpassing previous records, which has placed significant pressure on its capacity as it prepares to move to a new location, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest for international passenger traffic, saw growth of 3.1% in 2025, reaching a monthly record of 8.7 million passengers in December.
Dubai Airports confirmed that the airport “is operating at maximum capacity while maintaining the highest levels of operational performance.” It is projected that passenger numbers will rise to 99.5 million this year.
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This number could reach 115 million passengers before the transition to the new Al Maktoum International Airport on the outskirts of Dubai is completed in 2032, as mentioned in October.
New Dubai Airport’s cost: $35 billion
The total cost of the new airport will be $35 billion, and it is expected to handle 150 million passengers annually within the next ten years, making it the largest in the world, with the capacity eventually rising to 260 million passengers.
Dubai, the commercial and economic hub of the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, enjoys a strategic position as an aviation center connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.
According to the latest statistics from the Airports Council International, Dubai ranked first globally for international air traffic and second globally for total passenger numbers after Atlanta’s airport in 2024.
This desert city, known for its towering skyscrapers and luxurious beach resorts, also welcomed a record number of international visitors, reaching 19.59 million in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024, as announced this week.
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport (DXB) opened in 1960 and has grown from a single runway into one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, largely due to Dubai’s strategic location as a global transit point. Its expansion has been central to the emirate’s economic development, with major terminals like Terminal 3 opening in 2008 to accommodate the rapid growth of Emirates airline.
Al Maktoum International Airport
Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central, is a major airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which opened for cargo operations in 2010 and passenger flights in 2013. It was conceived as part of the Dubai World Central logistics and commerce hub, with its history rooted in plans to become the world’s largest airport and the primary long-term aviation gateway for the city.
Dubai
Dubai is a major global city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, historically known as a small fishing and pearling village. Its modern transformation began with the discovery of oil in the 1960s, but it has since strategically diversified into a hub for tourism, finance, and trade, famous for landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and artificial Palm Islands.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, established in 1971 following the end of British protection. Historically a region of pearl diving and trade, its modern identity and global prominence are largely defined by the discovery of oil in the mid-20th century and its subsequent rapid economic development.
Africa
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent and the cradle of humankind, with fossil evidence suggesting it is where the human species first evolved. Its history encompasses the rise of powerful ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mali, followed by periods of colonization by European powers and a widespread movement for independence in the 20th century. Today, it is a continent of immense cultural, linguistic, and ecological diversity, comprising 54 sovereign nations.
Asia
Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent, home to ancient civilizations such as those in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and China. Its history spans millennia, featuring the rise and fall of vast empires, the spread of major world religions, and profound cultural and technological innovations that have shaped global history.
Europe
Europe is a continent with a rich and complex history, shaped by ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome, the transformative periods of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, and the profound impacts of two world wars. Culturally, it is renowned for its diverse array of artistic movements, architectural landmarks, and philosophical traditions. In the modern era, much of Europe is politically and economically integrated through the European Union.
Airports Council International
Airports Council International (ACI) is a global trade association representing the world’s airports, founded in 1991 to advance collective interests and standards. It provides advocacy, knowledge sharing, and best practices for airport operations, safety, and sustainability, evolving from earlier regional airport groups.
Atlanta’s airport
Atlanta’s airport, officially Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), is the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic. It originated in 1925 as a racetrack turned airfield and expanded significantly after being selected as Delta Air Lines’ hub in the 1940s.
