Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 23.4 million guests in the first quarter of 2025, maintaining strong momentum and reinforcing its position as the world’s leading international airport. This performance reflects both Dubai’s growing appeal as a global destination and DXB’s continued role as the gateway of choice for millions of travellers.

Increase in traffic

Traffic rose by 1.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, despite Q1 last year setting a record. January alone saw the highest monthly traffic ever recorded at DXB, with 8.5 million guests—a milestone made possible not only by infrastructure but also by the coordinated effort of thousands behind the scenes.

India: DXB’s top destination country

India remained DXB’s top destination country, with 3 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia (1.9 million), the UK (1.5 million), Pakistan (1 million), the US (804,000), and Germany (738,000). At the city level, London led with 935,000 guests, followed by Riyadh (759,000), Jeddah (627,000), Mumbai (615,000), and New Delhi (564,000).

Leisure travel also surged during the quarter, driven by seasonal peaks at the start of the year, Eid holidays, and spring break. Notable double-digit increases in traffic were recorded to destinations such as the Czech Republic (+30.6 per cent), Vietnam (+28.6 per cent), and Spain (+20.2 per cent).

Cargo volumes

Cargo volumes saw a slight year-on-year contraction of 3.6 per cent in Q1, with DXB handling 517,000 tonnes.

People behind DXB’s peak performance

Beyond the numbers, it is the people behind DXB’s peak performance who make a meaningful impact. Across its terminals, the dedication, agility, and guest-first mindset of the oneDXB community—from Dubai Airports teams to government partners, airlines, and commercial operators—are vital in delivering exceptional guest experiences.

For instance, DXB’s Lost and Found team, in coordination with Dubai Police, recovered and returned a bag containing Dh102,000 in cash, passports, and personal documents within 30 minutes—providing peace of mind to two brothers travelling home after a family tragedy.

In another memorable moment, immigration officer Abdullah Al Baloushi paused a departing guest in a wheelchair, not for inspection but to allow her son a few extra moments to say goodbye. His kindness was publicly praised by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who said: “A salute to whoever brings a smile or joy to a traveller’s heart. This is the Dubai we want.”

Operational highlights

“Our Q1 performance lays a strong foundation for the year—not just in guest numbers, but in the calibre of the people behind them,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. “Delivering the busiest month in DXB’s history while maintaining exceptional service levels across baggage, guest flow, and accessibility is no small feat. It requires precision, agility, and extraordinary teamwork.”

Griffiths added: “What makes this possible is the collective effort of our oneDXB community, with each member playing a critical role at every touchpoint. This shared culture of collaboration and consistency is what drives our high performance and meets the growing expectations of our guests.”

Flight movements and efficiency

DXB recorded 111,000 flight movements in Q1, up 1.9 per cent year-on-year, with an average of 215 guests per flight. Despite growing guest volumes, the airport maintained operational efficiency. Over 21 million bags were processed, with mishandled baggage rates reduced to fewer than 1.95 per 1,000 guests—equivalent to a 99.8 per cent success rate.

Minimal wait times and inclusive services

Thanks to real-time monitoring and biometric passport control, over 95 per cent of guests experienced minimal wait times across key airport touchpoints. Accessibility enhancements—including services for People of Determination and guests with hidden disabilities—underscore DXB’s commitment to inclusive, guest-centric travel.

Dubai Airports’ strong organisational culture underpins this performance. In Q1, the organisation received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, reflecting long-term investments in employee wellbeing, engagement, and leadership development.

DXB: World’s busiest for 11th year

In March, DXB was named the world’s busiest international airport by Airports Council International (ACI) for the 11th consecutive year. The airport connects travellers to 269 destinations in 106 countries, served by 101 international carriers.

Dubai Airports: Did you know?

1. Dubai Airports operates both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC).
2. As an integrator, Dubai Airports balances stakeholder interests to support aviation growth, operational resilience, and a secure, seamless travel experience.
3. In 2024, DXB welcomed 92.3 million guests—the highest annual traffic in its history.
4. DWC represents Dubai’s future aviation vision, with expansion plans announced in May 2024 and a record $35 billion investment.
5. Over the next decade, DWC will accommodate 150 million passengers annually, eventually scaling to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo.
6. With five runways, futuristic design, and seamless intermodal connectivity, DWC aims to set new benchmarks for global air travel over the next 50 years.

flynas, the Saudi air carrier and a leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and globally, has signed an agreement to equip its new Airbus A320neo aircraft with the latest-generation seats.

Read-flynas boosts UAE network, with 8 destinations and routes

This agreement marks a new benchmark for comfort in low-cost aviation. The airline has partnered with Safran, one of the world’s top manufacturers of aircraft seats.

Agreement signing

The agreement was signed during flynas’ participation in the Arabian Travel Market, held in Dubai from April 28 to May 1. The signing ceremony was attended by flynas Chairman Ayed Al Jeaid, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Bander Almohanna, and Safran Seats France Executive Vice President Quentin Munier.

New seats for flynas

The partnership will outfit flynas cabins with seats specially designed for the airline. These new economy-class seats will feature distinctive designs, smart cushions, and modern technologies to enhance passenger comfort. As flynas operates A320neo aircraft on flights of up to six hours, the new seats are well-suited for both medium- and long-haul journeys, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

“Through our strategic partnership with Safran, we are preparing to reshape our future cabins with smart designs, stylish features, and next-level technologies,” said Almohanna.

Supporting growth and expansion

“This partnership aligns with our growth and expansion strategy, launched in parallel with the National Civil Aviation Strategy. The strategy aims to connect Saudi Arabia with 250 international destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers, and host 100 million tourists annually by 2030. It also supports the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques,” Almohanna added.

“This marks our first collaboration with flynas, and we are delighted to support its operations in the coming years,” said Munier. He highlighted that the new Z200 seats offer benefits for both passengers and airlines.

flynas ranked among the best

flynas is currently ranked as the best low-cost carrier in the Middle East and the fourth-best globally by Skytrax. Equipping its A320neo fleet with new seats is part of the airline’s broader initiative to become the world’s leading low-cost carrier.

Z200 seats: Comfort meets efficiency

The Z200, the latest addition to Safran Seats’ range of economy-class seats, achieves a balance of comfort and operational efficiency. With a wide range of customizable features, it’s ideal for short- and medium-haul flights. Offering class-leading living space and a design geared toward tech-savvy travelers, the Z200 is one of the lightest seats in its class, providing airlines with significant fuel and cost savings.

Life as we know it – from Netflix streaming our favorite shows to our smart fridge communicating with our phone, to the foundation of the internet itself – seem to operate seamlessly.

Did you ever stop and wonder what makes this possible? Behind these innovations lies something much more complex: a grand, invisible network that is neutral digital infrastructure (NDI).

In today’s world, NDI is the backbone of the digital landscape’s most ambitious developments, from the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G’s evolution to 6G to blockchain networks and Google’s OpenTitan. It is the silent powerhouse that enables everything from our Instagram posts to the emerging technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence. In a world without NDI, our shared digital experience is fragmented, slower, and more expensive.

In Saudi Arabia, stc group is investing in this shared infrastructure as more than a technical necessity to enable the next generation of technology. We see it as the digital backbone driving the kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions and elevating the way our communities live, work, and connect. As we all embark towards a digital-first future, NDI is the silent powerhouse making it all happen.

Shared Digital Highways

Before NDI came to be, each internet and phone company constructed and maintained its own infrastructure, which led to inefficiencies and increased costs. stc group’s neutral digital infrastructure revolutionizes this model with a community-centric approach, building a shared highway that any company and telecom provider can access simultaneously, rather than each company building its own roads.

By establishing these basic building blocks of the digital world, stc is leveraging its cutting-edge networks and shared services to unlock opportunities, accelerate innovation and set new benchmarks for digital excellence. This transformative infrastructure ensures that everything powering our digital world, whether it’s fiber optic cables, cell towers, or data centers, remains reliable and keeps us connected no matter how technology evolves over generations.

A Level-Playing Field

Why does this matter? Our investments and strategic partnerships in NDI, 5G networks, cloud and data centers, and smart cities extend beyond stc. It’s about enabling and expanding access to critical elements of the digital ecosystem, bridging the gap between innovation, fostering the growth of emerging technologies and ultimately connecting people. From connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Africa through a state-of-the-art Data Center Park in Bahrain and forming one of the world’s largest submarine cable systems, to setting a Middle East record for the region’s first-ever 1Tbps (terabit-per-second) long haul field trial, stc continuously strives to stay ahead of the curve.

As one of the first service providers globally to launch 5G, we have deployed 5G sites in over 75 cities, securing over 1.5 million 5G subscribers. By significantly enhancing the capabilities of our shared infrastructure and offering scalable, faster connectivity, we are laying the groundwork for future technologies that are in their nascent stages that will one day operate on the NDI we are building today.

Neutral, scalable and reliable infrastructure powers it all – from autonomous vehicles to remote healthcare – enabling businesses and individuals to not only thrive in a digital economy but drive the digital transformation of our time.

Empowering Future-Ready Communities

The development of NDI is critical to stc and Saudi Arabia, and we have already seen its impact across the kingdom’s smart cities. Our work with Diriyah Company is an example of this investment, turning a UNESCO World Heritage Site into a smart tourism destination. Because of stc’s investment in NDI, a historic landmark can now offer new and innovative ways for tourists to engage and learn while preserving the community’s rich heritage.

But this is just the beginning. Modernizing urban living and bridging the digital infrastructure gap across communities are foundational steps in a much larger journey. With NDI, we are reimagining neighborhoods as empowered, sustainable and connected communities. From smart homes to advanced digital services, stc’s neutral digital infrastructure investments are building a future where technology is more accessible, efficient, and impactful.

As Saudi Arabia advances towards a digitally powered era, stc’s strategic investments in NDI are at the forefront of shaping this bold new future. We are not merely building infrastructure, we are redefining the essence of digital connectivity with networks that are scalable, secure and resilient. stc is not just keeping pace with the digital revolution—we are driving its transformation, setting new benchmarks, and charting the course for what lies ahead.

• Haithem Mohammed Alfaraj is group chief technology officer for stc.

Dar Global, the London-listed luxury real estate developer, has announced the launch of Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai.

The announcement underscores their confidence in the region’s long-term growth potential and their commitment to delivering exceptional value to investors and residents alike.

“Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai is a project that reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, luxury, and innovation. We are honored to partner once again with Dar Global on this landmark development, bringing unparalleled quality and world-class amenities to Dubai’s luxury market. Dubai is a global destination that shares our vision for iconic development, and we’re proud to expand the Trump brand in one of the most dynamic cities on earth,” said Eric Trump, EVP of The Trump Organization.

Read: Eric Trump tells Gulf Business why the Gulf is the future of luxury real estate

“Dubai’s vibrant economy and strategic location make it a prime destination for global investment, and Dar Global recognises this potential. The Trump International Hotel & Tower, developed alongside The Trump Organization, is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this growth, offering investors a unique opportunity to participate in Dubai’s success story while benefiting from the strength and prestige of the Trump brand, as well as Dar Global’s expertise in luxury real estate development,” added Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global.

Five things you didn’t know about the new iconic tower

1. Middle East’s first and only Trump International Hotel & Tower

This landmark project is the first and only Trump International Hotel & Tower in the Middle East, and marks the fifth collaboration between Dar Global and The Trump Organization.

Following successful developments like Trump Tower Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Trump International Golf Club and Hotel in AIDA, Oman’s premier beach master community, this new icon will rise along Sheikh Zayed Road at the entrance of Downtown Dubai, offering exclusive views of the Burj Khalifa and the sea.

2. Bitcoin payments accepted

Upon completion, the Dubai tower will feature the world’s highest outdoor swimming pool. Buyers will also have the option to pay using Bitcoin.

3. 80 floors standing at 350 meters

Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai, blends world-class hospitality with exclusive residential offerings, further enhancing Dubai’s thriving real estate and tourism sectors.

Soaring 80 floors high at 350 meters, the tower will feature exquisite rooms and suites, private lounges, personalized services, and top-tier amenities for guests.

4. Private, members-only club

TheTrump — a private, members-only club — will offer unmatched exclusivity. With sweeping views of the Burj Khalifa, the club will include a resort-style pool reserved for residents. At the tower’s crown, two distinctive penthouses with sky pools will define ultimate luxury and design sophistication.

5. Inspired by New York’s Trump Tower Penthouse

Modeled after the iconic Trump Tower Penthouse on New York’s Fifth Avenue, these stunning duplexes will feature floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic views of the Dubai skyline.

Every detail — from bespoke finishes to meticulously curated interiors — reflects a lifestyle of unparalleled elegance and uncompromising luxury.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The UAE has announced slightly higher fuel prices for the month of May, the price for Diesel has however been reduced for the month.

The revised rates, effective from May 1, are as follows:

Super 98 petrol will cost Dh2.58 per litre, down from Dh2.57 in April.

Special 95 petrol will be priced at Dh2.47 per litre, compared to Dh2.46 last month.

E-Plus 91 petrol will cost Dh2.39 per litre, down from Dh2.38 in April.

Diesel will be charged at Dh2.52 per litre, compared to Dh2.63 previously.

The UAE adjusts fuel prices monthly in line with global oil market fluctuations. The country deregulated fuel prices in 2015, linking them to international benchmarks.

Oil drops, poised for biggest monthly fall in three years

Oil prices extended declines on April 30 and were set for their largest monthly drop in more than three years as the global trade war eroded the outlook for fuel demand, while fears of mounting supply also weighed.

Brent crude futures fell by 75 cents, or 1.17 per cent, to $63.50 per barrel by 0641 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 79 cents, or 1.31 per cent, to $59.63 a barrel.

Read-Trade war: Oil suffers biggest 5-day drop since 2022

Brent and WTI have lost 15 per cent and 17 per cent respectively so far this month, the biggest percentage drop since November 2021.

Both benchmarks slumped after US President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of tariffs on all US imports. They then sank further to four-year lows as China responded with its own levies against US imports, stoking a trade war between the top two oil-consuming nations.

Trump’s tariffs on imports into the US have made it probable the global economy will slip into recession this year, according to a Reuters poll.

China’s factory activity contracted at the fastest pace in 16 months in April, a factory survey showed on Wednesday, April 30.

Demand amid trade war

Worries about demand amid the trade war have weighed on investor sentiment, said ANZ bank senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes.

“There are also concerns that recent strength in US economic data was only temporary, due to stockpiling ahead of the tariffs that now appears to be abating,” he added.

US consumer confidence slumped to a nearly five-year low in April on growing concerns over tariffs, data showed on Tuesday.

Recent signs of a de-escalation in the trade wars, including a pair of orders Trump signed on Tuesday to soften the blow of his auto tariffs, eased some jitters among global investors.

That said, analysts believe the oil market will stay under pressure as the Trump administration continues to prioritise lower oil prices to manage inflation.

Mounting supply from OPEC+

Oil prices were also undermined by fears of mounting supply from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+.

Several OPEC+ members will suggest a ramp-up of output hikes for a second straight month in June, sources told Reuters last week. The group will meet on May 5 to discuss output plans.

On the supply front, US crude oil inventories rose by 3.8 million barrels last week, market sources said on Tuesday citing American Petroleum Institute data.

US government data on stockpiles is due at 10:30 am ET (1430 GMT) on Wednesday. Analysts polled by Reuters expect, on average, an 400,000 barrel increase in US crude oil stocks for last week.

(With inputs from Reuters)