Air traffic movements in the state's airports recorded a significant increase from January to the end of May 2025, reaching 336,719 movements, compared to the same period in 2024, with an annual increase of 8.08%. This is according to data from the UAE's Unified Numbers Registry, issued during the annual meetings of the UAE government for 2025. This performance reflects the continued strong momentum in the aviation sector, alongside the expansion of national carriers' networks and an increase in international destinations.
During the first five months of the current year, the monthly average of aircraft movements reached approximately 67,300, a rate that is clearly higher than the average for the same period last year. This increase reflects strong growth in air traffic and a rise in the number of tourists, business travelers, and attendees of major events.
When the total movements are distributed across the 151 days of this period, it becomes clear that the airports handled around 2,230 flight movements daily. This figure places the state's airports among the busiest internationally.
A closer look at the operational rate reveals that aircraft movements reached about 93 movements per hour, equivalent to one flight approximately every 38 seconds. This indicator represents an advanced operational capacity of the airport infrastructure and efficiency in air traffic management, while maintaining high levels of flow and safety.
Amid these indicators, the national aviation sector is steadily moving towards historical operational levels, driven by a mix of diverse demand, continuous investments, and the state's pivotal role as a global hub for commercial aviation and transit.
The aviation sector in the UAE is one of the key factors that enhance its status as a global economic and tourist destination. The UAE have witnessed significant development in this field thanks to its massive investments in airport infrastructure and the development of its fleet with the latest aircraft and aviation technologies. UAE airports are among the busiest and most advanced in the world, and the UAE plays a central role in connecting continents, facilitating the movement of goods and passengers and boosting trade and tourism.
The UAE provides a comprehensive global aviation system that includes an advanced network of infrastructure covering all emirates, including 12 certified airports, eight of which are international. The country also owns a wide international network connecting its airports to 304 international airports in 109 countries. In the last five years alone, 162 new international routes have been launched. The number of registered airline aircraft in the country reached 960, including 520 aircraft belonging to national carriers, which operate more than 4,800 flights weekly worldwide.
At the beginning of the current year, the Civil Aviation Authority announced an unprecedented achievement that strengthens the UAE's position in the global aviation sector. The Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Center surpassed the one million air traffic movements mark in one year, 2024, including transit movements. The authority stated that this achievement is a landmark in the journey of the UAE's aviation sector, which has long been a model of excellence and innovation.
