Dubai Airport handled record 95.2 mn passengers last year

Dubai: Dubai International Airport maintained its crown as the world's busiest airport last year as officials said Wednesday that a record 95.2 million passengers transited through its terminals, part of the emirate's continued economic boom.

The airport took off in the post-pandemic years, spurred by worldwide interest in travel and by ever-increasing tourism, business and real estate opportunities in the biggest city in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai on Monday reported a 5% increase in tourists last year, to 19.6 million, a third consecutive year of record-breaking figures.

The state-owned airport is home to the long-haul carrier Emirates, which powers the network of state-owned and state-linked businesses in the emirate known as "Dubai Inc."

Dubai International showed in 2025 "that record traffic is no longer an exception, but part of its operating reality," said Paul Griffiths, the chief executive of Dubai Airports. Dubai airport saw 92.3 million passengers in 2024, compared with 86.9 million passengers in the previous year.