Page 338 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - AUGUST 2025

UAE airports receive 75.4 million passengers in H1

2025, record 5% growth

• Wednesday, August 13, 2025 5:09 PM
• 3 minutes Reading

The civil aviation sector in the United Arab Emirates has recorded significant growth across key
performance indicators during the first half of 2025, with passenger traffic, air cargo, and air traffic
movements showing strong results that affirm the sector’s strength and ongoing development.

According to civil aviation sector performance indicators for H1 2025, airports across the UAE
welcomed 75.4 million passengers during the first six months of the year, up from 71.7 million
passengers during the same period in 2024, representing a 5 percent increase.

January recorded the highest number of passengers, exceeding 13.7 million travellers.

UAE national carriers continued their global expansion during the first half of 2025, launching flights
to 15 new destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The new cities include
destinations in Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Turkey,
Iran, Egypt, Croatia, and Ethiopia — further cementing the UAE’s status as a leading global aviation
hub.

On this occasion, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, and Chairman of
the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), stated, "Thanks to the directives of our wise leadership,
the UAE continues to enhance its global and regional standing as an international aviation hub,
posting unprecedented growth rates driven by innovative national initiatives and strategies. This has
significantly strengthened the country’s competitiveness and leadership in this vital sector, which
today represents a key pillar for driving economic growth, diversifying income sources, and
supporting trade, tourism, investment, and job creation across all aviation-linked sectors."
He added, “The performance indicators for the first half of 2025 reflect the resilience and
sustainability of the aviation sector, as well as the competitiveness of the UAE’s airports, national
carriers, and air navigation services. We see aviation as a bridge connecting the UAE to the world
and a key enabler for achieving our long-term economic objectives. We will continue working to
expand the country's air connectivity with global markets, supported by a flexible and advanced
regulatory framework, ambitious open skies policies, and ongoing infrastructure development
plans.”

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of GCAA, stated, "Thanks to the guidance and
unwavering support of our wise leadership, the aviation sector is advancing steadily towards
greater growth and prosperity. These positive indicators highlight the strength of our aviation
infrastructure and the effectiveness of integrated efforts by all our partners — including airports,
airlines, and air navigation service providers."

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2025-record-5-growth/ar-AA1KsgWX