UAE National Day 2025 to kick off Dubai Airport’s busiest ever winter travel season
Daily passenger traffic to exceed 300,000 during peak festive travel rush at DXB
DUBAI – The Dubai International Airport (DXB) has announced that it will welcome more than 10 million guests between 27th November and 31st December 2025, marking its strongest year-end travel period yet.
The surge begins with the UAE National Day long weekend, which is expected to drive outbound travel as residents make use of the extended holiday.
Daily passenger numbers are forecast to average over 294,000 in late November, rising significantly into December.
Record numbers
December alone is projected to bring in more than 8.7 million passengers, making it the busiest month in DXB’s history. Daily numbers are expected to surpass 300,000, with Saturday, 20 December forecast to be the busiest day, handling an estimated 303,000 guests.
Travel flows will shift mid-December, as inbound traffic surges with international visitors arriving for Dubai’s festive season, known for its attractions, entertainment and shopping.
Travel shifts
Airport authorities said both arrivals and departures will remain consistently high. Outbound travel will dominate in the days ahead of the National Day break, followed by a strong rise in inbound tourism as the festive calendar gets underway.
To ease travel, DXB continues to collaborate with airlines, control authorities, commercial partners and on-ground teams through its oneDXB programme to ensure smooth operations throughout the period.
Smart travel
To help passengers navigate the expected rush, Dubai Airports has released a series of smart travel tips. Travellers flying with Emirates are encouraged to use home, early and self-service check-in facilities, along with city check-in at ICD Brookfield Place.
Guests are advised to arrive no earlier than three hours before departure, pack batteries and power banks in hand luggage, and use online check-in where possible. Families with children over 12 can speed up passport control using Smart Gates, while Emirates First and Business Class travellers can access the “Red Carpet” Smart Tunnel.
Passengers are also reminded to use Dubai Metro for easy access to Terminals 1 and 3, especially as operating hours are typically extended during peak periods. People of Determination will have access to marked accessibility routes, discreet Sunflower Lanyard support, and a dedicated Assisted Travel Lounge in Terminal 2.
Travellers can stay updated using DXB Express Maps, which provide real-time gate and flight updates via QR code scan. Once inside, guests can explore duty free shopping, restaurants, lounges and hotel facilities before departure.