Dubai Airports has forecast a record-breaking surge of more than 10 million passengers passing through Dubai International Airport (DXB) between 27 November and 31 December. Daily volumes are expected to average 294,000 during the National Day long weekend and exceed 300,000 on the busiest day—Saturday, 20 December—making December the hub’s busiest month on record with 8.7 million travellers.
The operator is coordinating with airlines, immigration, customs, retail and ground-handling partners under the “oneDXB” programme to keep throughput flowing. Measures include extended Dubai Metro hours, additional staff in security lanes, and a dedicated Assisted-Travel Lounge in Terminal 2 for passengers with disabilities. Families with children aged 12 and up are encouraged to use SmartGates, while Emirates premium-class customers can opt for the biometric “Red Carpet” Smart Tunnel to clear passport control in seconds.
![Dubai International Airport Braces for 10 Million Passengers Over Year-End Peak]()
With outbound flows dominating before the National Day weekend and inbound flows increasing mid-December for the festive season, companies should advise travellers to arrive no earlier than three hours before departure, complete online check-in and consider city check-in facilities such as Emirates’ desk at ICD Brookfield Place. Only ticketed passengers will be allowed in the terminal during peak times—a critical point for meet-and-assist services.
For global mobility teams the message is clear: book early, build longer connecting times into itineraries, and brief relocating employees on packing rules (power banks in hand luggage), SmartGate eligibility and potential road congestion around Terminal 3. Fast-track services remain available but may sell out quickly during the peak.
DXB handled 92.3 million passengers in 2024 and remains the world’s busiest airport for international traffic, underscoring its pivotal role in Middle East assignments and corporate travel itineraries.
The operator is coordinating with airlines, immigration, customs, retail and ground-handling partners under the “oneDXB” programme to keep throughput flowing. Measures include extended Dubai Metro hours, additional staff in security lanes, and a dedicated Assisted-Travel Lounge in Terminal 2 for passengers with disabilities. Families with children aged 12 and up are encouraged to use SmartGates, while Emirates premium-class customers can opt for the biometric “Red Carpet” Smart Tunnel to clear passport control in seconds.
With outbound flows dominating before the National Day weekend and inbound flows increasing mid-December for the festive season, companies should advise travellers to arrive no earlier than three hours before departure, complete online check-in and consider city check-in facilities such as Emirates’ desk at ICD Brookfield Place. Only ticketed passengers will be allowed in the terminal during peak times—a critical point for meet-and-assist services.
For global mobility teams the message is clear: book early, build longer connecting times into itineraries, and brief relocating employees on packing rules (power banks in hand luggage), SmartGate eligibility and potential road congestion around Terminal 3. Fast-track services remain available but may sell out quickly during the peak.
DXB handled 92.3 million passengers in 2024 and remains the world’s busiest airport for international traffic, underscoring its pivotal role in Middle East assignments and corporate travel itineraries.
