Dubai Airports has confirmed the enhancement of winter schedules at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktum International (DWC) airports, with the addition of new routes and increased capacity, supporting regional travel growth. According to a statement, the airports enter the winter travel season backed by one of their strongest networks ever, aiming to meet the rising seasonal demand. Both DXB and DWC are expanding their operations by welcoming new airlines, increasing operational capacity, and optimizing schedules to match the anticipated traffic intensity. Direct flights maintain their pivotal role in the winter season at DXB, now accounting for about 55% of total passenger traffic. This growth is part of a regular annual cycle supported by mild weather, a packed schedule of international business, sporting, and entertainment events, as well as travel by residents for holidays or family visits, alongside a steady flow of individuals choosing Dubai for medium to long-term stays. In the current winter season, growth in passenger traffic is being driven by Europe and Central Asia. FlyAriana joined the airline network on November 29 with two weekly flights from the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, while Austrian Airlines resumed operations on December 2 with five weekly flights from Vienna. European airlines are also showing additional growth in projected capacity. Virgin Atlantic deployed an A350-1000 aircraft on the Dubai route, increasing seat capacity by 52%, and British Airways reinstated A380 aircraft on its flights from London Heathrow. Collectively, these steps reflect strong market confidence from Europe as the holiday season approaches. Dubai Airports also highlighted that the seasonal increase in demand from South Asia and the wider Middle East is contributing to deepening the level of air connectivity through DXB. Varish Airline launched two weekly flights from the city of Sari, Iran, starting October 30, while FlyJinnah added two weekly flights from Lahore starting November 2, a move that enhances direct travel from regional centers that typically see a notable peak in travel to and from Dubai during the winter season. According to Dubai Airports, Saudi Arabia is recording one of the highest growth rates this season, serving as the second-largest market for DXB with a 7.8% share of total passenger traffic as of October this year. The total travel volume between Saudi Arabia and both DXB and DWC reached approximately 6.3 million passengers, achieving a year-on-year growth of 1.3%. DWC, in particular, showed an exceptional increase of 459%, bringing the number of passengers passing through it to 173,000. EuroWings is also playing a significant role in supporting this growth by launching a new daily service to DXB from Stuttgart, as well as operating three weekly flights to DWC from Dusseldorf, and increasing flight frequencies to Berlin, Cologne, and Hannover, offering premium business class on the Berlin route. Robert Douglas, Vice President of Research and Development at Dubai Airports, stated: "The winter season has always been a pivotal moment for Dubai's aviation sector, and the scale of our network this season reflects the continuous evolution in demand levels." He added: "The growth in direct flight volumes through our two airports embodies a balanced mix of incoming visitors, outbound travel by residents, and the increasing number of individuals choosing Dubai as their home. This affirms the expansion and diversification of our network and its adaptability." The improvements in this winter's schedule reflect the confidence of airline partners in the strength and diversity of travel demand to Dubai, while also highlighting the city's appeal to visitors and business travelers, in addition to the many individuals who have chosen to reside there. This supports sustainable growth in direct passenger traffic and cements Dubai's status as one of the most dynamic aviation markets globally. Dubai World Central – Al Maktom International Airport is playing an increasingly pivotal role within Dubai's wider aviation ecosystem, with a growing number of airlines leveraging its available capacity to complement the existing services at DXB. During the first 10 months of 2025, the airport received 1.1 million guests, achieving a growth of 36.6%, driven by rising demand from CIS countries, GCC countries, and Western Europe. Concurrently, air cargo and aircraft movement indicators continue to show steady growth, reinforcing the airport's strategic momentum and its expanding role.
