Dubai: Dubai International Airport (DXB) continues to strengthen its operational momentum, supported by an expanding destination network and the return of airlines to enhance flight schedules and operational capacity, according to Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports.Al Joker said traffic and seat-capacity indicators reflect a positive trajectory towards stronger performance during the second half of the year."The weekly traffic at the airport has now exceeded 81% of its previous levels, while seat capacity has reached about 86%," Al Joker said, describing these indicators as highly encouraging and reflective of tangible improvement in the aviation sector and passenger traffic levels.He added that the two national carriers, Emirates and flydubai, continue to receive new aircraft and launch additional routes and destinations, directly contributing to Dubai International Airport's operational capacity.Al Joker said the recovery rate in the operations of the two carriers currently ranges between 80% and 90%, underlining the pivotal role they play in supporting air traffic growth and reinforcing Dubai's position as a global aviation hub.He noted that Dubai International Airport is currently served by more than 50 airlines, connecting the emirate to approximately 217 destinations across 99 countries."This significant diversity in airlines, markets and destinations represents one of the airport's key strengths and enhances its ability to drive growth and adapt to changes in global travel patterns," he said.Al Joker added that while challenges during the first half of the year were reflected in traffic figures, the return of airlines to their regular schedules and route networks, coupled with stronger transit traffic and preparations for winter schedules, are expected to support stronger performance during the coming months.Transit traffic remains a key strengthAl Joker said transit traffic continues to be a fundamental component of Dubai International Airport's operating model, accounting for approximately 49% of total passenger traffic.He noted that this reflects Dubai's role in connecting global markets and strengthening its position as a major gateway between East and West, as well as between Asian, European, African and American markets.Regarding previous forecasts, Al Joker said projections had once been approaching the 100-million-passenger mark by 2026, but reaching that figure is no longer the primary benchmark given the circumstances and challenges experienced during the past year.However, he stressed that continued improvement is expected to deliver "an excellent figure" despite the significant challenges faced by the aviation sector.India remains the largest marketIndia maintained its position as the largest market by passenger volume through Dubai International Airport during the first half of the year, recording 4.8 million passengers.It was followed by:Saudi Arabia: 2.3 million passengersUnited Kingdom: 1.9 million passengersPakistan: 1.7 million passengersUnited States: 1.1 million passengersAl Joker said these figures demonstrate the breadth of demand for travel through Dubai and the airport's diversified traffic base, reducing dependence on any single market and enhancing resilience.At the city level, London ranked first among the most popular destinations with approximately 1.2 million passengers, followed by Mumbai with around one million passengers.Jeddah and Riyadh each recorded approximately 800,000 passengers.These results, Al Joker said, reflect the geographical diversity of Dubai Airport's destination network and its strong connectivity with major regional and international markets.Strong outlook for the second halfAl Joker expects the momentum that emerged during the second quarter to continue throughout the second half of the year.Key growth drivers include:Increased operational capacityEnhanced air connectivityWinter flight schedulesDelivery of new aircraftLaunch of new destinations and stationsHe also highlighted the importance of business events, exhibitions and conferences hosted by Dubai as major contributors to travel demand."The strength of the transit network and the continued expansion of operational capacity by national carriers will also support passenger flows and traffic growth during the coming period," he said.Technology driving operational excellenceAl Joker emphasised that technology has become a central component of operations across Dubai Airports.He said its role has evolved beyond automating procedures to include predicting passenger flows and assisting operational teams in making timely decisions.According to Al Joker, advanced data analytics and modern technologies allow teams to move from reacting to challenges after they occur to anticipating and preparing for them in advance.This enhances operational efficiency and strengthens the airport's ability to manage increasing passenger volumes without affecting service quality.These efforts include improving operations management, accelerating baggage processing and reducing points of friction for travellers, supporting a smoother and more efficient passenger experience.Al Joker stressed that technology has become "an essential part of operational processes," noting that it does not replace human resources but instead enhances the capabilities of airport teams and equips them with more accurate and efficient tools to manage passenger traffic and operations.With operational capacity continuing to expand, airline networks growing and demand from tourism, business and transit markets remaining strong, indicators point to a positive second half of the year for Dubai International Airport.Al Joker said the airport's focus extends beyond traffic numbers to building a more resilient, efficient and future-ready operating model capable of supporting long-term growth and further reinforcing Dubai's position among the world's leading aviation and travel hubs.
