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| UAE world’s leading air transport hubs |
The UAE has cemented its position among the world’s leading air transport hubs in 2025, after its airports recorded record performance that enhanced their ability to accommodate the rapid growth in international travel and trade.
Data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre showed that the total number of passengers traveling through the country's airports rose to 156.8 million in 2025, compared to 147.8 million in 2024, an increase of 9 million passengers and a growth rate of 6.1%. The total number of aircraft movements also increased to 855,300, compared to 801,000 in the previous year, achieving growth of 6.8%.
These results reflect the success of ongoing investments in airport development, infrastructure and logistics, which have strengthened the UAE’s position as a global air transport hub and a strategic gateway connecting global markets, in addition to the sector’s role as a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Civil Aviation Authority, affirmed that these results embody the success of the wise leadership’s forward-looking vision in building an advanced and sustainable national aviation system based on world-class airports and regulatory and operational frameworks that keep pace with best international practices.
Regarding passenger traffic, the number of arrivals increased to 44.2 million passengers, a growth of 6.1%, while the number of departures reached 43 million passengers, an increase of 3%, while transit traffic recorded 69.5 million passengers, achieving a growth of 8%.
Dubai Airports maintained its lead by receiving 104.5 million passengers, followed by Abu Dhabi Airports with 34.2 million passengers, then Sharjah International Airport with 16.9 million passengers, while Ras Al Khaimah Airport recorded a record growth of 56.8%, exceeding the one million passenger mark for the first time, while Fujairah Airport achieved the highest growth rate in the country at 170%.
Aircraft traffic also recorded continuous growth, with the number of arriving flights rising to 414,300 and departing flights to 414,100, an increase of 7.3% for each, in an indicator that reflects the efficiency of the infrastructure and the high operational capacity of the country’s airports.
The UAE has strengthened its presence in global competitiveness indicators, after it topped the world in the “Quality of Air Transport” index according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026. It also came in third place globally in the “Efficiency of Air Transport Services” and “Number of Seats Available in Kilometers per Week per Million Inhabitants” indices, eighth in the “Number of Operating Airlines” index, tenth in the “Number of Air Services Agreements” index, in addition to sixth place globally in the “Air Connectivity” index.
