The UAE continues to shine and lead in the skies in the aviation sector.

Abu Dhabi

The UAE Reigns Supreme in Global Travel and Aviation Leadership

The UAE's aviation sector continues to write new chapters of brilliance and leadership in the skies and on the ground, with the country's airports becoming vital hubs and strategic centers connecting the world's continents, and a remarkable expansion in the international destination network of national carriers.

In detail, Dubai International Airport set an unprecedented record in 2025, welcoming 95.2 million passengers, a 3.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. 2025 was the busiest year in the airport's history, with record daily, monthly, and quarterly passenger numbers, and a significant increase in flights, totaling 454,800.

With enhanced air connectivity, Dubai International Airport is now connected to 291 destinations in 110 countries via 108 international airlines, further solidifying its position as one of the world's most connected airports. Abu Dhabi’s airports witnessed significant growth in passenger traffic in 2025, welcoming over 33 million passengers, marking their highest annual passenger flow in history.

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport recorded 8.59 million passengers during the last quarter of 2025, a 13.8 percent increase compared to the previous year. Other Abu Dhabi airports, such as Al Bateen Executive Airport and Al Ain International Airport, continued their growth, reflecting their strengthening position as key hubs in the air transport network.

In another significant achievement, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport surpassed the one million passenger mark in 2025, reaching a total of 1,303,000 passengers. This represents remarkable growth compared to the previous year, reflecting the airport's accelerated pace of development and solidifying its position as a promising regional hub for air transport.

The airport witnessed a significant expansion in its flight network, with the number of scheduled international flights and destinations increasing to 16, including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Egypt.

Exceeding the one million passenger mark is a clear indicator of the airport's transition from a medium-sized to a large-scale airport, reflecting the success of its operational and development plans.

The aviation sector is a cornerstone of the UAE's role in promoting global tourism. Its airports facilitate access for tourists from all over the world, and the record passenger traffic figures achieved throughout 2025 have further solidified the UAE's position as a leading tourist destination, offering travelers a seamless and sophisticated experience from arrival to departure.

The UAE continuously invests in enhancing its infrastructure and developing innovative technological systems to facilitate the passenger experience. For example, Dubai International Airport maintained a high level of baggage handling accuracy, achieving a 99.75% accuracy rate in 2025.

Airports in the UAE continue to integrate artificial intelligence technologies, self-service platforms, and electronic payment solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and speeding up procedures.

Recognizing its global leadership and excellence, UAE airports garnered several prestigious awards in 2025. Dubai International Airport won the Airports Council International (ACI) Safety Recognition Award 2025 in recognition of its advanced security innovations. Dubai Airports also won the Gallup "Exceptional Workplace" award, reflecting the unique level of employee harmony within the airport's work environment.

In Abu Dhabi, Zayed International Airport won the "Best Airport for Shopping Experience" award at the Frontier Awards 2025, reflecting the quality of experiences offered to passengers. Sharjah Airport achieved Level 3+ "Carbon Neutrality" accreditation under the Carbon Accreditation Program, remaining the first in the GCC to achieve this significant environmental milestone.