Dubai Airports add new routes across UAE as winter travel demand surges
Direct traffic rises sharply amid tourism, events and outbound travel
DUBAI – Dubai Airports has entered the winter travel season with one of the most extensive networks in its history, as Dubai International and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International welcome new airlines, route resumptions and added capacity.
The expanded schedules are designed to meet rising seasonal demand driven by tourism, global events and outbound travel by residents. Together, DXB and DWC are seeing stronger direct traffic, deeper regional links and growing airline confidence across key markets.
Direct traffic remains a defining feature of the winter season at DXB, now accounting for 55% of passenger demand. This reflects a familiar annual pattern shaped by cooler weather, international business and sporting events, school holidays and steady population inflows.
The trend highlights the airport’s role not only as a global hub, but as a primary gateway for travellers whose journeys start or end in Dubai.
What’s driving growth?
Europe and Central Asia are delivering notable uplift this winter.
FlyArystan joined the DXB network on 29 November with twice-weekly flights from Aktau in Kazakhstan, while Austrian Airlines returned on 2 December with five weekly services from Vienna.
Capacity from European carriers is also rising, with Virgin Atlantic deploying the A350-1000 on its Dubai route, increasing seat capacity by 52%, and British Airways restoring A380 services from London Heathrow.
How are regions responding?
Seasonal demand from South Asia and the wider Middle East is also strengthening connectivity. Varesh Airline introduced twice-weekly flights from Sari in Iran on 30 October, while Fly Jinnah launched twice-weekly services from Lahore on 2 November. These additions reinforce strong point-to-point demand from regional cities where winter travel to and from Dubai traditionally intensifies.
Where is demand rising fastest?
Saudi Arabia is showing one of the sharpest increases. Already DXB’s second-largest country market, it accounted for 7.8% of total passengers as of October year to date. Combined traffic from Saudi Arabia reached 6.3 million across DXB and DWC, up 1.3% year on year, with DWC recording a standout rise of 459% to 173,000 passengers.
DWC’s expanding role is becoming more visible as airlines leverage its available capacity. The airport welcomed 1.1 million passengers in the first 10 months of the year, up 36.6%, supported by demand from CIS, GCC and Western European markets. Eurowings is contributing to this momentum with a new daily DXB service from Stuttgart, three weekly flights from Düsseldorf to DWC, and increased frequencies to Berlin, Cologne and Hannover, including Premium Bizclass on the Berlin route.