Dubai International Airport (DXB) has reported a significant rise in traffic from Pakistan, with 3.2 million Pakistani passengers recorded in the first nine months of 2025, making Pakistan its fourth-largest source market.
Dubai Airports attributed this surge to multiple factors: strong business ties, family-visiting travel, and transit traffic from Pakistanis heading to Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
The spike in Pakistani passengers comes as DXB saw a record-breaking third quarter. Between July and September 2025, it welcomed 24.2 million travelers, a 1.9% increase year-on-year, pushing its total for the first nine months to 70.1 million. The airport also recorded 336,000 flights during that period, with the average number of passengers per flight reaching 213.
Operational efficiency remained top-notch: 99.6% of outgoing passengers cleared passport control in under 10 minutes, while 99.8% of arrivals did so in less than 15 minutes. Such strong performance reinforces DXB’s role as a major transit hub for South Asian travelers, including Pakistanis.
As demand continues to rise, Dubai is investing in infrastructure upgrades. Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are being expanded to keep pace with growing volumes, especially from the South Asian market.
In a related development, Dubai’s aviation sector is preparing for a major shift: according to a recent report, the city is set for an airport transformation as operations gradually move toward Al Maktoum International Airport. This long-term shift echoes Dubai’s broader strategy to manage burgeoning air traffic.
