Dubai Airports has revised its festive-season forecast, projecting that 312,000 passengers will move through Dubai International Airport (DXB) on 28 December, the single busiest day in the hub’s history. The new figure surpasses the earlier peak forecast of 309,000 and caps a month in which total footfall is expected to top 8.7 million travellers.
To cope, airport authorities have activated the ‘oneDXB’ peak-operations plan, coordinating airlines, control authorities and ground-handling partners to keep security-queue times under 20 minutes and bags on belt within 35 minutes. Smart Gates and the “Red Carpet” Smart Tunnel for premium Emirates passengers will run at full capacity, while Dubai Metro operating hours are being extended.
For business-travel organisers the chief takeaway is the need to pad door-to-gate transfer times by at least 30 minutes during the 24-hour peak window. Travel-desk teams should encourage online check-in, limit terminal drop-offs to passengers only and remind travellers that power banks must go in cabin baggage.
![Dubai International forecasts record 312,000 passengers on 28 December; issues peak-travel guidance]()
If any of those travellers still need a UAE visa, VisaHQ can streamline the application process in a matter of minutes, with real-time status updates and expedited options—vital when schedules tighten during peak periods. Mobility managers can review the specific requirements for their employees’ nationalities at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/ and submit everything online long before travellers reach DXB.
The surge illustrates Dubai’s rebound as a global mobility hub. Corporate relocation traffic traditionally dips over the holidays, yet DXB’s December data show sustained inbound volumes, suggesting that many expatriate assignees are combining home leave with stopovers in the emirate.
Failure to adjust itineraries could mean missed connections and additional hotel nights, costs that directly impact mobility budgets at a time when year-end assignment moves are common.
To cope, airport authorities have activated the ‘oneDXB’ peak-operations plan, coordinating airlines, control authorities and ground-handling partners to keep security-queue times under 20 minutes and bags on belt within 35 minutes. Smart Gates and the “Red Carpet” Smart Tunnel for premium Emirates passengers will run at full capacity, while Dubai Metro operating hours are being extended.
For business-travel organisers the chief takeaway is the need to pad door-to-gate transfer times by at least 30 minutes during the 24-hour peak window. Travel-desk teams should encourage online check-in, limit terminal drop-offs to passengers only and remind travellers that power banks must go in cabin baggage.
If any of those travellers still need a UAE visa, VisaHQ can streamline the application process in a matter of minutes, with real-time status updates and expedited options—vital when schedules tighten during peak periods. Mobility managers can review the specific requirements for their employees’ nationalities at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/ and submit everything online long before travellers reach DXB.
The surge illustrates Dubai’s rebound as a global mobility hub. Corporate relocation traffic traditionally dips over the holidays, yet DXB’s December data show sustained inbound volumes, suggesting that many expatriate assignees are combining home leave with stopovers in the emirate.
Failure to adjust itineraries could mean missed connections and additional hotel nights, costs that directly impact mobility budgets at a time when year-end assignment moves are common.
