Dubai International Airport (DXB) is poised for its busiest January ever, as it expects to welcome 4.3 million travelers in the first 15 days of 2025. The projected traffic surge surpasses pre-pandemic levels from 2018-2019, setting a new benchmark for the world’s busiest airport for international travel.
Daily Traffic Peaks
Today is anticipated to be the peak travel day of the period, with more than 311,000 passengers passing through DXB. On average, the airport will handle 287,000 travelers daily during the two-week span—a figure 8% higher than the same period in 2024 and 6% above pre-pandemic levels.
Post-Holiday Rush
DXB attributes the sharp increase in passenger numbers to two primary factors: the return of residents from their holidays and the departure of international visitors after the festive season.
“This exceptional performance reflects a surge in international visitors flying out after the festive season, coupled with residents returning from holidays,” the airport said in a statement on Friday.
This comes as Dubai Duty Free posted a record $2.16 billion in annual sales, cementing that travel retail is successfully growing
Operational Excellence
Despite operating at volumes comparable to its busiest months ever, DXB assured that its systems and staff are well-prepared to handle the surge.
“With an average of 287,000 guests passing through daily, DXB is demonstrating its ability to meet global travel demand with efficiency and ease,” the statement added.
A Promising Start to 2025
The record-breaking start to the year signals a robust recovery and continued growth for DXB, reaffirming its status as a global hub for international travel. Travelers and industry stakeholders alike will be closely watching to see if this momentum carries through the rest of the year.
