Dubai Airport Aims for 100 Million Passengers in 18 Months

Aug 26, 2026

72 min

Aug 26, 2026 11:31

Dubai International Airport on track to hit 100 million passengers in 18 months, says CEO

## Passenger Growth Targets

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is on course to reach 100 million annual passengers within the next 18 months, according to CEO Paul Griffiths. This target has been slightly adjusted from the original goal set for the end of 2026. Griffiths anticipates that passenger numbers will reach the "low 70 millions" by the end of this year, indicating a strong recovery from previous disruptions.

## Maintaining the Busiest Airport Title

Despite a temporary drop in rankings due to missile attacks earlier this year, Griffiths is confident that DXB will reclaim its position as the world's busiest airport for international travel by the end of 2026. The airport had held this title for nearly 12 years before the recent dip.

## Recovery and Expansion

Currently, passenger numbers are at 80% of pre-disruption levels, with capacity at 86%. The airport is served by 56 airlines flying to 236 cities across 100 countries, with new routes being added regularly. Griffiths expects a full schedule by the end of the third quarter.

## Strong Performance of Local Carriers

Emirates and flydubai have shown significant recovery, with high load factors and customer satisfaction scores. Griffiths attributes high airfares to strong demand rather than a lack of traveler confidence.

## Future Developments

Dubai's plans for flying taxis are progressing, with vertiport infrastructure completed. However, Griffiths emphasized that safety certification will take precedence over a quick launch, with no specific date set yet.

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