Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths projects record 95.3 million passengers for 2025, with Dubai International to surpass 100 million travellers by 2027 before shifting to Al Maktoum International.
DUBAI: Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths has projected that Dubai International Airport (DXB) will handle 95.3 million passengers by the end of 2025 — marking a new all-time high for the world’s busiest international hub. The airport has maintained its global lead for 11 consecutive years, underscoring Dubai’s unmatched position in global aviation.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2025 press conference, Griffiths revealed that DXB is on track to exceed the 100 million passenger mark by 2027, with long-term forecasts predicting around 115 million passengers by 2031. He added that by 2032, operations will transition to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), which is designed to accommodate 124 million passengers annually.
Griffiths described Dubai Airshow 2025 as the largest and most ambitious edition to date, calling it “the world’s premier aviation event.” The exhibition, scheduled for November 2025, will feature cutting-edge innovations in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) electric aircraft, space technologies, and advanced defence systems.
“Dubai Airshow continues to serve as a global stage for aerospace innovation, providing an unparalleled platform to showcase the future of air mobility and space exploration,” Griffiths said.
Regarding Al Maktoum International Airport’s expansion, he confirmed that construction is progressing steadily, with final designs under preparation in collaboration with leading aviation engineering partners. The goal, he said, is to create “one of the greatest airports in the world” — equipped to meet future aviation and passenger demands.
Operational since 2010, Al Maktoum International currently serves cargo, executive, charter, and select scheduled flights, playing a vital role in Dubai’s long-term aviation growth strategy.
As Dubai continues to strengthen its aviation ecosystem, these projections reaffirm the emirate’s position as a global leader in passenger experience, innovation, and infrastructure development.
