The UAE’s airports handled 156.8 million passengers in 2025, up from 147.8 million in 2024, according to figures released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. The 6.1% increase represents approximately 9 million additional travellers across arrivals, departures, and transit passengers combined.
Aircraft movements reached 855,300 across the country’s airports, compared with 801,000 in 2024, a rise of 6.8%. Incoming and outgoing movements each grew 7.3%, reaching 414,300 and 414,100 respectively.
Breaking the passenger figures down by emirate, Dubai airports led with 104.5 million travellers, up 3.5% from 100.9 million in 2024. Abu Dhabi airports recorded 34.2 million passengers, growth of 10.7% from 30.8 million. Sharjah International Airport handled 16.9 million passengers, also up 10.7% from 15.2 million.
Ras Al Khaimah airport posted the sharpest percentage growth among the larger airports, with passenger numbers rising 56.8% to pass the one million mark for the first time, reaching 1 million compared with 639,300 in 2024. Fujairah airport more than doubled its traffic, with passenger numbers climbing 170% to 164,600 from 61,100 in 2024.
Transit traffic was the fastest-growing passenger category nationally, rising 8% to 69.5 million from 64.3 million in 2024. Arrivals grew 6.1% to 44.2 million, while departures rose 3% to 43 million.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the results reflect the country’s proactive approach to building a sustainable national aviation system supported by world-class airport infrastructure. He added that work continues with local and international partners to develop logistics infrastructure, train national talent, and build international partnerships in line with the UAE Vision 2031 targets.
Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, said the aviation data demonstrates the UAE’s ability to translate statistics into a tool for policy support and decision-making. The centre, she said, continues to develop the national statistical system in line with international best practice to support competitiveness rankings and future planning.
