Dubai braces for travel rush in record summer

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is bracing for a significant spike in passenger numbers as families return to the city ahead of the new school year, which begins on 25 August. 

 

Between 13 August and 25 August, DXB expects to handle more than 3.6 million travellers, averaging 280,000 per day and outpacing last summer’s figures. 

 

The busiest day is predicted to be Friday, August 15, with passenger numbers set to exceed 290,000.

 

Dubai Airports advises travellers over 12 to use Smart Gates for quicker passport processing and recommends utilising the Dubai Metro for Terminals 1 and 3. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also suggested for onward journeys to alleviate congestion.

 

This surge comes amid a landmark year for Dubai Airport, which saw a record-breaking 46 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a feat that stands as the busiest start in its 65-year history. 

 

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Dubai’s allure is evident in swelling tourism figures, with 9.88 million visitors venturing to Dubai between January and June, a 6% increase over last year. 

 

April welcomed more than 8 million travellers, but it was January that truly set records, with 8.5 million guests and a single-day peak of 311,000 people returning from holidays on 3 January.

 

During Eid week in March, some 309 travellers passed through DXB on Saturday 5 April, a notable increase from a peak of 292,000 during Eid 2024. 

 

Behind the record numbers is a global network that spans continents, with India topping DXB’s arrivals, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UK, Pakistan, and the US.

 

Looking ahead, DXB aims expects to attract 96 million passengers in 2025, up from 92.3 million in 2024, and "bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone", Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said in a recent statement. 

 

“As we enter the second half of the year, travel activity is expected to accelerate, beginning with the late-summer peak and leading into a winter season filled with high-profile events across entertainment, sport, and business. 

 

For more information, visit dubaiairports.ae