By Kavita Mistry 
Dubai International (DXB) achieved a historic milestone in Q3 2025, registering its highest-ever quarterly traffic with 24.2 million guests between July and September — a 1.9 per cent year-on-year rise. The strong performance pushed total passenger volumes for the first nine months of 2025 to 70.1 million, up 2.1 per cent compared to the same period last year.
DXB’s twelve-month rolling traffic through September reached 93.8 million guests, underscoring the airport’s position as the world’s busiest international hub. Aircraft movements remained robust with 115,000 flights recorded during the third quarter, bringing total movements for the year-to-date to 336,000 — a 2.7 per cent increase year-on-year. The average passengers per aircraft stood at 213, reflecting steady network efficiency.
Operational excellence continued to define DXB’s performance. Between January and September, the hub handled 63.8 million bags — up 6.2 per cent year-on-year — maintaining an industry-leading 99.9 per cent accuracy, equivalent to just two mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers. Ninety per cent of bags reached guests within 45 minutes of aircraft arrival. In the same period, 99.6 per cent of departing passengers cleared passport control in under 10 minutes, while 99.8 per cent of arrivals did so in under 15 minutes. Security screening times remained below five minutes for 99.7 per cent of travellers.India retained its position as DXB’s largest country market with 8.8 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia (5.5 million), the United Kingdom (4.6 million), Pakistan (3.2 million), and the United States (2.4 million). Among top city pairs, London led with 2.8 million passengers, followed by Riyadh (2.3 million), Mumbai (1.8 million), Jeddah (1.7 million), and New Delhi (1.6 million).
In line with Dubai Airports’ ongoing transformation, major enhancement projects are underway across all terminals, including CB Central, CB East, and CB West — dynamic new spaces within Terminal 3 designed to elevate shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. Concourse D will also feature CD Central, an upgraded passenger zone with panoramic airfield views, retail innovation, and enhanced dwell areas.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “These record-breaking results reflect the continued strength of Dubai’s aviation and tourism sectors and the collective effort of our oneDXB airport community. Yet, it also reinforces the importance of what comes next. The vision for Dubai World Central (DWC) goes beyond capacity expansion — it represents the reimagination of the entire travel experience. Our goal is not just to grow, but to grow intelligently by combining technology, sustainability, and superior guest experience to shape the future of global travel.”
As DXB continues its strong growth trajectory, Dubai Airports remains focused on advancing its long-term strategy for DWC — envisioned as a next-generation smart aviation hub that will redefine efficiency, connectivity, and sustainability for global travel in the 2030s.
