Dubai Airport. Photo: Shutterstock Dubai International Airport (DXB) ended 2025 with an impressive total of roughly 96 million passengers, but the first days of 2026 have already set the tone for what will most likely be another extremely busy year for the state-of-the-art facility.
2026 has kicked off with unprecedented traffic congestion and the busiest days on record for the popular hub. On Saturday, January 3, management reports that more than 324,000 passengers visited the airport flying to and from their destinations. The following day, on January 4, the airport handled 322,000 passengers, setting a new daily record.
By the end of the week, official forecasts say a whopping total of approximately 3.4 million passengers will have passed through DXB, at the current rate of over 300,000 passengers going through the airport.
The new extraordinary peak period once again showcases Dubai's status as a major aviation hub and global gateway between Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
DXB will continue to focus on putting the passenger experience first, despite the unusual congestion, constantly working on offering efficient passenger flow, uninterrupted operations, and enhanced services, while maintaining a sense of hospitality, security, and comfort throughout the entire flight journey.