Dubai International Airport experiences record-breaking passenger traffic during the initial months of the year
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is currently operating near its maximum passenger capacity of around 110-115 million annually, handling a record 96 million passengers in 2025 with projections exceeding 100 million by 2026 [1][2]. To address capacity constraints, Dubai Airports has concrete plans to gradually transition operations to Dubai World Central (DWC) β Al Maktoum International Airport, targeting a full shift by 2032.
DXB connects to more than 269 destinations in 107 countries, serving 92 international airlines [3]. This significant contribution to Dubai's GDP is set to continue, but the limits of physical infrastructure and space at DXB necessitate a strategic shift. The transition to DWC is already underway in phases, with DWC experiencing strong growth β a 36.4% year-on-year rise in passenger traffic and a 23% increase in flights in early 2025 β as airlines begin to move operations when DXB slots are constrained.
DWC is envisioned as a future mega-airport with capacity for up to 260 million passengers per year, featuring five runways and 400 aircraft gates. This expansion will enable Dubai to sustain long-term growth and its global hub status [1][2]. The shift aims to accommodate expanding passenger and flight numbers that DXB alone cannot support long-term, ensuring the emirateβs aviation infrastructure matches increasing demand and continues to drive economic benefits for Dubai.
In other news, streaming giants Netflix and Shahid are launching the Middle East's first joint streaming subscription. The initiative aims to support logistics, renewable energy, and urban planning, and is expected to shake up the region's streaming market. Shahid leads the Middle East's $1 billion streaming market with a 22% share, while Netflix is ranked third with 17% [6]. The bundle costs subscribers about 20% less than paying for both services separately.
Meanwhile, an Abu Dhabi firm, Madari Space, plans to put data centers in low Earth orbit in the third quarter of 2026 [7]. Abu Dhabi-based Space42, Microsoft, and US mapping software company Esri are deploying satellites and artificial intelligence to create a comprehensive digital map of Africa [8]. The five-year project aims to map 54 countries, home to over 1.4 billion people.
Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund owns a 54% stake in MBC, the parent company of Shahid [9]. The world's busiest airport hasn't added major infrastructure in the past decade, but the ongoing expansions and upgrades at DXB, such as improvements to terminals and services to maximize throughput, demonstrate a commitment to maintaining its status as a global hub [5].
However, the EU's probe of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.'s (ADNOC) takeover deal of German chemical company Covestro may hamper other Gulf investment plans in Europe [4]. The probe comes as nearly 4,000 people were evacuated from a 532-unit building that caught fire in Dubai in June [5]. An average of seven people live in each apartment in the affected building. Rents in Dubai are expensive, leaving service workers with limited housing options [10].
In conclusion, Dubai International Airport continues to break records and prepare for a strategic shift to Dubai World Central by 2032. The streaming market is set for disruption with the launch of the first joint streaming subscription, while data centers are being deployed in low Earth orbit and a comprehensive digital map of Africa is being created. The EU's investigation of ADNOC's takeover deal may have wider implications for Gulf investment in Europe, while the aftermath of a fire in a Dubai building highlights the challenges faced by service workers in the city.
References:
[1] Dubai International Airport: On Track to Reach 96 Million Passengers This Year. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/transport/796149-dubai-international-airport-on-track-to-reach-96-million-passengers-this-year
[2] Dubai International Airport to Reach 96 Million Passengers This Year. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/transport/2025/01/20/dubai-international-airport-to-reach-96-million-passengers-this-year/
[3] Dubai International Airport: Serving 92 International Airlines. (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://www.dubaiairports.ae/en/dubai-international/arrivals/airlines
[4] EU to Investigate Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.'s $14 Billion Takeover of German Chemical Company Covestro. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-01/eu-to-investigate-abu-dhabi-national-oil-co-s-14-billion-takeover
[5] Dubai Fire: Nearly 4,000 People Evacuated From High-Rise Building. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-57190389
[6] Netflix and Shahid Launch Middle East's First Joint Streaming Subscription. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/media/800352-netflix-and-shahid-launch-middle-east-s-first-joint-streaming-subscription
[7] Madari Space to Launch Data Centers in Low Earth Orbit in Q3 2026. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/technology/800348-madari-space-to-launch-data-centers-in-low-earth-orbit-in-q3-2026
[8] Abu Dhabi, Microsoft, and Esri to Create Comprehensive Digital Map of Africa. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/technology/800349-abu-dhabi-microsoft-and-esri-to-create-comprehensive-digital-map-of-africa
[9] Saudi Arabia's PIF Owns 54% Stake in MBC. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/media/800351-saudi-arabias-pif-owns-54-stake-in-mbc
[10] Rents in Dubai: The High Cost of Living for Service Workers. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/2025/03/01/rents-in-dubai-the-high-cost-of-living-for-service-workers-1.1070353
- The expansion of Dubai World Central (DWC) β Al Maktoum International Airport, aiming to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually, is a significant part of Dubai's finance and business sector.
- As DXB approaches its maximum capacity, investments in the home-and-garden sector, such as the transition to DWC, contribute to Dubai's long-term sustainable living and economic growth.
- Investing in renewable energy and data-and-cloud-computing initiatives, like Abu Dhabi's Madari Space and the collaboration between Netflix and Shahid, are essential parts of the region's lifestyle and technology advancements.
- The policy-and-legislation sector took action as the EU launched an investigation into Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.'s (ADNOC) takeover deal, which could impact future Gulf investments in Europe's economic real-estate and business landscape.
- In the sports sector, the European leagues and Premier League continue to attract global interest, while sports-betting opportunities are rising in the general news, reflecting the world's passion for football.
- The weather played a role in a major incident at Dubai's building infrastructure, with nearly 4,000 people evacuated from a 532-unit building in June.
- The casino-and-gambling industry is part of the entertainment sector, with players enjoying various casino-games online in the comfort of their homes.
- Meanwhile, businesses in real-estate, urban planning, and logistics in the Middle East are undergoing significant changes, such as the launch of the first joint streaming subscription and the creation of a comprehensive digital map of Africa.
- Politics and policy-and-legislation sectors closely follow developments like the EU's investigation into ADNOC's takeover deal, which could have a ripple effect on Europe's economy and relations with the Gulf.
- The challenges faced by service workers, like the high cost of living and limited housing options, are crucial topics in the general-news sector, affecting the overall lifestyle and sustainable living of Dubai's residents.
