UAE airlines have expanded their world footprint with 15 new locations within the first half of 2025, serving to drive passenger numbers on the nation’s airports to 75.4 million.
The expansion cements the nation’s place as one of many world’s main aviation hubs, with each passenger site visitors and air cargo volumes climbing.
The UAE’s civil aviation sector continued its robust progress trajectory within the first half of 2025, based on the newest efficiency indicators from the Common Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
UAE airports and airways
Airports throughout the nation dealt with 75.4m passengers between January and June, up 5 per cent from 71.7m in the identical interval of 2024.
January was the busiest month, with greater than 13.7m travellers passing by UAE terminals.
UAE nationwide airways strengthened the nation’s standing as a number one world aviation hub, including 15 new locations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Center East through the first half of the yr.
New routes included cities in:
- Russia
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Armenia
- Kazakhstan
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Turkey
- Iran
- Egypt
- Croatia
- Ethiopia
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economic system and Tourism, and Chairman of the Common Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), stated: “Due to the directives of our smart management, the UAE continues to reinforce its world and regional standing as a world aviation hub, posting unprecedented progress charges pushed by modern nationwide initiatives and methods.
“This has considerably strengthened the nation’s competitiveness and management on this important sector, which at the moment represents a key pillar for driving financial progress, diversifying revenue sources, and supporting commerce, tourism, funding, and job creation throughout all aviation-linked sectors.
“The efficiency indicators for the primary half of 2025 replicate the resilience and sustainability of the aviation sector, in addition to the competitiveness of the UAE’s airports, nationwide carriers, and air navigation providers.
“We see aviation as a bridge connecting the UAE to the world and a key enabler for reaching our long-term financial targets.
“We are going to proceed working to develop the nation’s air connectivity with world markets, supported by a versatile and superior regulatory framework, formidable open skies insurance policies, and ongoing infrastructure growth plans.”
Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Mumbai, and Bahrain have been the busiest locations for weekly flights to and from the UAE.
The nation’s airports dealt with greater than 2.2m tonnes of air cargo, a rise of 4.74 per cent year-on-year, with nationwide carriers liable for 67 per cent of the overall freight quantity.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-Common of GCAA, stated: “Due to the steering and unwavering assist of our smart management, the aviation sector is advancing steadily in the direction of higher progress and prosperity.
“These constructive indicators spotlight the energy of our aviation infrastructure and the effectiveness of built-in efforts by all our companions — together with airports, airways, and air navigation service suppliers.
“We’re proud to proceed reaching secure progress charges in each passenger and cargo site visitors, supported by formidable growth tasks to maintain tempo with this enlargement.
“The whole passenger dealing with capability of the nation’s airports now exceeds 160 million, and we’re assured that the aviation sector will proceed to play a pivotal position in supporting the nationwide financial system, boosting tourism and commerce, and reinforcing the UAE’s place as a number one air transport hub regionally and globally.”
UAE aviation efficiency – H1 2025
| Indicator | H1 2025 | H1 2024 | Per cent change |
| Passenger site visitors | 75.4m | 71.7m | +5% |
| Busiest month | January – 13.7m passengers | – | – |
| Air site visitors actions | 531,000 | ~500,000 | +6.2% |
| New locations added | 15 | – | – |
| Air cargo quantity | 2.2m tonnes | 2.1m tonnes | +4.74% |
| Cargo share by nationwide carriers | 67% | – | – |
| Prime locations (weekly flights) | Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Mumbai, Bahrain | – | – |
| Complete airport passenger dealing with capability | 160m | – | – |