The UAE has built one of the world’s most connected aviation systems, with over 1 billion passengers, 960 aircraft, and 304 global links.
ABU DHABI: The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has launched a new report series titled “A Closer Look: Civil Aviation in the UAE”, revealing how the nation has transformed into one of the world’s most connected and advanced aviation ecosystems.
According to the GCAA, the UAE’s civil aviation infrastructure has evolved from a regional refuelling hub into a global powerhouse over the past five decades. With more than 1 billion passengers served, 960 registered aircraft, and 304 global airport links, the UAE stands among the top globally in air transport connectivity and quality.
The country’s aviation sector features 12 certified airports—including 8 international hubs—and 100 heliports, with several being upgraded to accommodate electric vertical aircraft. Five national airlines operate over 4,800 weekly flights to 109 countries, supported by 189 bilateral air agreements covering 97% of the globe.
The report states that the UAE handles 2.3% of global international passenger traffic and 32.2% of regional traffic. It records over 857 international flights daily and moved 4.36 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, ranking it as the world’s 7th largest air cargo market.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its title as the busiest international airport for over a decade, with 5.34 million outbound seats in August 2025 alone.
The economic footprint of the aviation sector is equally remarkable, contributing USD 92 billion annually—roughly 18% of national GDP—and supporting nearly 1 million jobs, including 206,800 directly linked to aviation operations and manufacturing.
From Sharjah’s historic sand runway in the 1930s to today’s globally integrated infrastructure, the UAE’s aviation journey is a model of strategic foresight, innovation, and investment.
