Dubai Airlines Experience Steady Passenger Growth in February 2025

Dubai and Middle Eastern carriers recorded a 3.1% year-on-year increase in passenger demand in February 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This growth underscores Dubai’s position as a premier global aviation hub, reinforcing its role in connecting millions of travelers worldwide.

Dubai’s Aviation Sector Sees Sustained Growth

The capacity of regional airlines grew by 1.3%, while the load factor climbed to 81.9%, marking a 1.4 percentage point increase compared to February 2024. These figures highlight Dubai’s robust aviation infrastructure and its ability to accommodate increasing passenger demand efficiently.

On a global scale, revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), a key metric for airline demand, increased by 2.6% year-on-year in February. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), rose by 2%, with the global load factor reaching 81.1%, reflecting a 0.4 percentage point increase compared to February 2024.

International Travel Sees Strong Demand

Demand for international flights surged by 5.6% compared to February 2024, with capacity expanding by 4.5% year-on-year and the load factor reaching 80.2% (+0.9 percentage points). While international RPK growth moderated to 5.6%, down from 12.3% in January, Dubai and other key Middle Eastern hubs continued to maintain record-breaking demand levels for February.

Regional Performance Highlights

• Asia-Pacific Airlines: Demand grew 9.5% year-on-year, with capacity increasing by 8.3% and load factors reaching 85.7% (+0.9 percentage points). Dubai’s extensive flight network to Asia remains a key contributor to this surge.

• European Airlines: Passenger demand rose 5.7%, with capacity up 4.9% and a load factor of 75.5% (+0.5 percentage points), demonstrating Dubai’s strong air connectivity with European destinations.

• North American Airlines: Experienced a -1.5% decline in demand, while capacity decreased by -3.2%. However, the load factor improved to 78.9% (+1.3 percentage points).

• Latin American Airlines: Demand climbed 6.7%, while capacity surged by 9.9%, with a load factor of 81.7% (-2.5 percentage points).

• African Airlines: Saw 6.7% growth in demand, capacity increased by 4%, and the load factor rose to 75.3% (+2 percentage points), further solidifying Dubai’s role as the primary gateway between Africa and the rest of the world.

Industry Insights & Challenges

Despite the moderated growth, IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh pointed out that factors such as the leap year and the Lunar New Year shift from February 2024 to January 2025 contributed to the trend. “February traffic hit an all-time high, and scheduled flights are set to increase in March and April,” Walsh noted.

However, Walsh also highlighted ongoing challenges in Europe, particularly in airport infrastructure and compensation policies. The recent shutdown at Heathrow Airport raised concerns over outdated EU261 passenger rights regulations, which place penalties solely on airlines for delays—even when caused by infrastructure failures beyond their control. Walsh called for a more balanced regulatory framework to enhance European aviation competitiveness.

Dubai’s Position as a Global Aviation Leader

Dubai continues to lead in global aviation, offering seamless connectivity and world-class airline services. As the city invests in cutting-edge airport infrastructure and smart technologies, it reinforces its position as a top-tier aviation hub. The steady growth in passenger demand demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to providing efficient, secure, and high-capacity air travel solutions for international travelers.

With continued expansion and innovation, Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) are set to support the emirate’s long-term vision of becoming the world’s most advanced aviation center. The positive trends in passenger demand indicate a strong outlook for Dubai’s aviation sector in 2025 and beyond.

Source : Khaleejtimes