Image: Dubai Airports
Dubai International (DXB) is bracing for a heavy year-end travel surge, with the airport forecasting over 10 million passengers between November 27 and December 31, Dubai Airports said on Thursday.
Traffic is set to rise from the UAE National Day weekend, when daily volumes are expected to average more than 294,000. December alone is projected to exceed 8.7 million passengers, which would mark the airport’s busiest month on record. Daily throughput is expected to cross 300,000, with December 20 estimated to be the peak day at 303,000 travellers.
Outbound traffic is likely to dominate in the days ahead of National Day as residents travel for the public holiday, while mid-December is expected to see a sharp rise in inbound arrivals driven by the emirate’s winter tourism season and festive calendar.
Dubai Airports is collaborating with partners to ensure a smooth travel experience at DXB
Dubai Airports said it is working with oneDXB partners, including airlines, control authorities, commercial operators and airport service teams, to maintain operational flow.
Passengers have been issued guidance to ease congestion, including using early check-in and self-service facilities, online check-in, Smart Gates for travellers aged 12 and above, and the Emirates “Red Carpet” Smart Tunnel for First and Business Class passengers from Terminal 3.
Authorities urged travellers not to arrive more than three hours before departure, to check destination travel regulations in advance, pack batteries and power banks in hand luggage, and note that only ticketed passengers will be permitted inside terminals during peak periods. Metro services to Terminals 1 and 3 are expected to run extended hours as in previous peak seasons.
Support services for People of Determination remain available, including marked accessibility routes, discreet Sunflower Lanyard assistance and a dedicated lounge in Terminal 2.
DXB also highlighted its Express Maps QR-based wayfinding tool and encouraged travellers to use the terminals’ dining, shopping, hotel and lounge facilities once inside.
Dubai Airports operates both DXB and Dubai World Central (DWC). The operator recorded 92.3 million passengers at DXB in 2024, its highest annual total. DWC, currently under expansion through a $35bn programme announced in May 2024, is expected to handle 150 million passengers annually within the next decade, scaling to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo in the future.
To reduce congestion and ensure a stress-free start to their journey:
- Arrive at the airport three hours before departure
- Complete immigration five hours before departure
- Reach the boarding gate one hour before departure
