United Arab Emirates

Market overview

The UAE is one of the world's largest transfer markets. Its airports handled 156.8 million passengers in 2025, up 6.1%, and more than two in five of them were in transit. Dubai International handled 104.5 million and Abu Dhabi 34.2 million. The airlines keep ordering. At the November 2025 Dubai Airshow, Emirates signed a Boeing 777X deal worth close to US$40 billion, and flydubai's Airbus and Boeing orders came to more than 300 aircraft. Dubai is building a new terminal at Al Maktoum International, sized for 260 million passengers a year. 2026 has been harder: a regional conflict closed Gulf airspace in March, and Dubai International's first-half traffic fell 31%, although monthly numbers rose through the second quarter. For suppliers, the picture is long-term growth with short-term swings. Demand for MRO, airport systems, ground handling and training will keep rising with fleet and capacity growth. As 2026 has shown, contracts and supply plans should allow for sudden disruption.

Key facts

• 156.8 million passengers through UAE airports in 2025 (up 6.1%), and 855,300 aircraft movements (2025, FCSC data reported July 2026).
• Dubai 104.5 million, Abu Dhabi 34.2 million and Sharjah 16.9 million passengers in 2025. Abu Dhabi and Sharjah each grew 10.7%.
• Al Maktoum International's new terminal: AED128 billion (about US$34.85 billion), for about 260 million passengers a year. The first phase, for 150 million, is due within 10 years (approved April 2024).
• Dubai Airshow 2025: Emirates signed a Boeing 777X deal worth close to US$40 billion, and flydubai ordered more than 300 A321neo and 737 MAX aircraft (Nov 2025).
• Dubai International handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half of 2026, down 31.3% because of the regional conflict (Aug 2026).

Key figures

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).

Did you know

Dubai International is the world's busiest airport for international passengers.

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