Dubai International Airport (DXB) marked a robust start to 2025, welcoming 23.4 million passengers in the first quarter—a 1.5% increase over the same period last year. January alone set a new record with 8.5 million travelers, the highest monthly traffic in the airport’s history. India remained the top destination country with 3 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UK, Pakistan, the US, and Germany. At the city level, London led with 935,000 guests, trailed by Riyadh, Jeddah, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Leisure travel saw double-digit growth to destinations like the Czech Republic, Vietnam, and Spain, fueled by seasonal peaks, Eid holidays, and spring breaks.
Operational efficiency remained high, with DXB processing over 21 million bags and maintaining a mishandled baggage rate of fewer than 1.95 per 1,000 passengers. The airport also recorded 111,000 flight movements, up 1.9% year-on-year, averaging 215 passengers per flight. CEO Paul Griffiths attributed this success to the coordinated efforts of the “oneDXB” community, emphasizing the dedication of staff across all touchpoints. Notable moments included the swift recovery of a lost bag containing AED 102,000 and personal documents, and a compassionate gesture by an immigration officer, both highlighting the airport’s commitment to exceptional guest experiences.
