Dubai Airports expects more than 10 million passengers to pass through Dubai International (DXB) between 27 November and 31 December, making December 2025 the busiest month in the hub’s history. In an advisory published on 28 November, operator DXB urged travellers to arrive at least three hours before departure, use online check-in and consider Dubai Metro to avoid road congestion.
Daily passenger volumes are projected to exceed 300,000 during the UAE National Day long weekend and again in the run-up to Christmas and New Year. December 20 is forecast to be the single busiest day, with 303,000 guests. Both departing residents and inbound holidaymakers will contribute to the surge, driven by a packed events calendar that includes COP-29 side conferences, the Dubai Shopping Festival and multiple sports tournaments.
![Dubai International issues peak-season advisory as airport braces for 10 million passengers]()
The airport is rolling out additional staff, fast-track lanes for families and people of determination, and QR-code way-finding maps. Emirates airline has reminded customers that only ticketed passengers may enter the terminal during peak periods and has promoted its off-airport check-in facilities at ICD Brookfield Place.
For mobility managers coordinating business travel, the advisory means longer dwell times and a higher risk of missed connections. Companies should brief employees to allow extra buffer time, leverage Smart Gate e-border channels where eligible, and avoid scheduling same-day onward meetings. Logistics teams moving time-sensitive cargo via DXB are also being told to book early morning or late-night slots when freight volumes are lighter.
Travel-insurance providers note that delays linked to congestion are usually considered “foreseeable events” once an advisory is issued; corporates should therefore verify whether policies offer coverage for missed flights. The airport will provide real-time updates through its DXB Express Maps platform and social-media channels throughout the period.
Daily passenger volumes are projected to exceed 300,000 during the UAE National Day long weekend and again in the run-up to Christmas and New Year. December 20 is forecast to be the single busiest day, with 303,000 guests. Both departing residents and inbound holidaymakers will contribute to the surge, driven by a packed events calendar that includes COP-29 side conferences, the Dubai Shopping Festival and multiple sports tournaments.
The airport is rolling out additional staff, fast-track lanes for families and people of determination, and QR-code way-finding maps. Emirates airline has reminded customers that only ticketed passengers may enter the terminal during peak periods and has promoted its off-airport check-in facilities at ICD Brookfield Place.
For mobility managers coordinating business travel, the advisory means longer dwell times and a higher risk of missed connections. Companies should brief employees to allow extra buffer time, leverage Smart Gate e-border channels where eligible, and avoid scheduling same-day onward meetings. Logistics teams moving time-sensitive cargo via DXB are also being told to book early morning or late-night slots when freight volumes are lighter.
Travel-insurance providers note that delays linked to congestion are usually considered “foreseeable events” once an advisory is issued; corporates should therefore verify whether policies offer coverage for missed flights. The airport will provide real-time updates through its DXB Express Maps platform and social-media channels throughout the period.
