Business
Dubai winter travel demand accelerates as airlines boost DXB and DWC capacity
Dubai Airports has entered the winter travel season with one of the strongest networks in its history, as Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) welcome new airlines and expanded connectivity.
The growth reflects rising seasonal demand and reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation hub.
Direct traffic remains a defining feature of DXB’s winter season, accounting for 55 per cent of passenger demand.
This uplift follows a regular annual cycle shaped by cooler weather, a packed calendar of international business, sports and entertainment events, residents travelling abroad for holidays or family visits, and the steady flow of people choosing to live in Dubai for the long or medium term.
Europe and Central Asia drive winter uplift
Europe and Central Asia are delivering significant growth this winter. FlyArystan joined the DXB network on November 29 with twice-weekly flights from Aktau in Kazakhstan, while Austrian Airlines returned on December 2 with five weekly services from Vienna.
European carrier capacity is also rising. Virgin Atlantic has deployed the A350-1000 on its Dubai route, increasing seat capacity by 52 per cent, while British Airways has restored A380 services from London Heathrow.
Together, these moves signal strong confidence from European markets heading into the festive season.
Regional connectivity strengthens
Seasonal demand from South Asia and the wider Middle East is further deepening DXB’s connectivity.
Varesh Airline introduced twice-weekly flights from Sari in Iran on October 30, while Fly Jinnah added twice-weekly services from Lahore on November 2, reinforcing strong point-to-point travel from regional hubs where winter demand typically intensifies.
One of the most notable increases this winter is coming from Saudi Arabia, which is already DXB’s second-largest country market, accounting for 7.8 per cent of total passengers as of October year-to-date.
Combined traffic from Saudi Arabia reached 6.3m passengers across DXB and DWC, up 1.3 per cent year-on-year. DWC recorded a standout increase of 459 per cent, reaching 173,000 passengers.
DWC’s role within Dubai’s aviation ecosystem is becoming increasingly visible, with airlines taking advantage of its available capacity to complement existing DXB services.
The airport welcomed 1.1m guests in the first 10 months of the year, representing a 36.6 per cent increase, supported by demand from CIS, GCC and Western European markets.
Cargo volumes and aircraft movements at DWC also continue to grow, reinforcing the airport’s strategic momentum.
Eurowings is contributing significantly to this expansion, with a new daily DXB service from Stuttgart, a three-times-weekly Düsseldorf service at DWC, and increased frequencies to Berlin, Cologne and Hannover, including the introduction of Premium Bizclass on the Berlin route.
Official statement
Robert Whitehouse, Vice President of Research at Dubai Airports, said: “Winter is always a pivotal period for Dubai’s aviation sector, and the breadth of this season’s network shows how strongly demand continues to evolve.
“The growth in direct traffic across both of our airports reflects a balanced mix of inbound visitors, outbound travel from residents and the many people choosing to make Dubai their home.
“It is a reminder that our connectivity is not only expanding but becoming more diverse and resilient.”
The expansion also underlines Dubai’s appeal to visitors, business travellers and residents alike, supporting sustained growth in direct traffic and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets.
