Dubai airports sees robust winter demand across DXB and DWC

Dubai Airports has entered the winter travel season with one of its strongest networks to date, as Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) welcome new airlines and expanded services to meet rising seasonal demand.

Direct traffic remains a key driver this winter, accounting for 55% of DXB’s passenger demand. The increase reflects the cooler climate, a busy calendar of global events, and strong outbound travel by residents, alongside steady inflows of visitors and long-term residents.

Europe and Central Asia are contributing significantly to growth. FlyArystan launched twice-weekly flights from Aktau in Kazakhstan, while Austrian Airlines returned with five weekly services from Vienna. 

European capacity has also expanded, with Virgin Atlantic deploying the A350-1000 on its Dubai route and British Airways restoring A380 services from London Heathrow.

Regional connectivity is also strengthening. New and expanded services from Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are boosting point-to-point traffic. Saudi Arabia remains DXB’s second-largest market, with combined passenger numbers across DXB and DWC reaching 6.3 million so far this year.

DWC continues to play a growing role, welcoming 1.1 million passengers in the first 10 months of the year, supported by demand from CIS, GCC and Western European markets. Airlines such as Eurowings are expanding operations across both airports, underlining confidence in Dubai’s winter travel demand.

According to Dubai Airports, these developments highlight the resilience and diversity of Dubai’s aviation network, reinforcing the city’s position as a leading global travel hub.