Dubai International (DXB) is set to welcome more than 3.6 million guests in total, expected to pass through its terminals during the Eid travel peak. The peak is anticipated to last from 27th March to 7th April 2025, with the busiest day of the period forecasted to be April 5th, Saturday, when 309,000 guests are expected at the airport.
Daily traffic is expected to average 276,000 guests, with the sharpest rise projected in the first week of April. Departures during Eid week are also anticipated to increase by 19% compared to the average weekly volumes over the past month. This scenario also reflects a significant seasonal uplift. Strong demand is being witnessed in terms of visiting friends and relatives from countries such as India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, alongside a notable rise in leisure travel, including increased traffic to Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Italy.
Dubai Airports has urged guests to use the recently introduced DXB Express Maps, a smart wayfinding tool that provides real-time navigation across all terminals. By scanning a QR code displayed on any flight information screen, guests can locate their gate, browse the full range of dining and retail options, or find nearby facilities with ease. Dubai Airports also offers enhanced services for People of Determination (PoD) through clearly marked accessibility routes, discreet support for guests wearing the Sunflower Lanyard from trained staff wearing Sunflower pins, and a dedicated Assisted Travel Lounge in Terminal 2.
Dubai Airports is taking multiple steps to ensure seamless guest flows across all touch points throughout the holiday period, working in collaboration with airlines, service and commercial partners, and government authorities.
Emirates passengers are encouraged to take advantage of the early and self-check-in facilities, including city check-in options.
Flydubai passengers are advised to arrive at least four hours prior to departure.
Guests flying with other airlines should aim to arrive at DXB no earlier than three hours before their scheduled departure time, utilizing online check-in where available to save time.
Familiarize yourself with your airline’s baggage allowance and packing regulations.
Save time at security screening by being prepared. Place metal items, such as your watch, jewelry, mobile phone, coins, and belt inside your hand luggage and follow the directed guidelines for carrying liquids, aerosols, and gels.
Families with children over 12's can speed up the passport control process by using Smart Gates.
In 2024, Dubai International Airport (DXB) set a record by handling 92.3 million passengers, averaging approximately 252,600 passengers per day. This represents a notable increase from 2023, when the airport managed 86.9 million passengers, averaging about 238,200 people daily.
As of March 2025, DXB continues to experience growth, with projections indicating over 94 million passengers by year-end, equating to an average exceeding 257,500 passengers daily. These figures underscore DXB's sustained position as one of the world's busiest international airports.
Emirates is deploying an additional 17 flights to destinations in the Middle East/GCC from 26th March to 6th April 2025.
This year, over 371,000 customers are expected to fly with the airline during the Eid Al Fitr break from around the region, with additional flights planned for Jeddah, Kuwait, Dammam and Amman. The expanded flight schedule offers customers travelling home or interested in exploring new destinations more opportunities to reunite, celebrate with their family and loved ones, or enjoy leisure getaways.
Emirates will add six flights to/from Amman and another five flights between Dammam and Dubai. The airline will be layering on an extra four flights from Jeddah and the airline’s flight schedule from Kuwait will extend to another two services. The additional services provide more flexibility to venture to Dubai, a popular Eid destination, and beyond to popular destinations and leisure gateways in Thailand like Bangkok and Phuket, the UK, gateways across the US, South Africa and to visit family and friends in Mumbai, Karachi, and Cairo, among many other cities.
Emirates expects a high number of passenger departures, over the coming days. Emirates encourages guests to check‑in early and ensure you have all the relevant documents ready for check‑in to avoid any delays. Customers starting their journey in Dubai are requested to arrive early at the airport.
You can download the Emirates App on your mobile. A digital boarding pass will be issued when check‑in on the app or online via emirates.com.
Check‑in counters will be open 24 hours before your flight from Dubai, and you can check‑in for your flights and drop your luggage 24 hours before the departure of your flight. For customers travelling to the US, check‑in counters will open 12 hours before the flight. You can physically check‑in and drop off your bags early.
You can also check‑in at Emirates’ brand‑new City check‑in and travel store in ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai International Financial centre (DIFC) from 24 hours up to 4 hours before your flight, except for customers travelling to the US. If you are travelling from the northern Emirates, you can also check‑in at Ajman Central Bus Terminal from 24 hours up to 4 hours before your flight.
Customers are reminded that they may not carry or check in more than 15 personal electronic devices (PED). Personal electronic items should be packaged separately and not taped or attached to another electrical item. For safety reasons, the authorities may confiscate items which are badly packaged or if the number of items carried exceed limit of 15 PEDs per passenger.
If you would like to speak to us in relation to Travel Risk Advisory & Journey Management, contact us to find out how we can support you, and your organization within the Middle East.