RIYADH: The UAE’s civil aviation sector posted robust growth in the first half of 2025, with passenger traffic climbing 5 percent to 75.4 million, up from 71.7 million a year earlier, according to the Emirates News Agency or WAM.
January was the busiest month, handling more than 13.7 million travelers across the nation’s airports.
The surge in passenger and cargo activity reflects a broader global rebound in aviation, as Middle Eastern carriers leverage their strategic location to capture long-haul transit traffic between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Air traffic movements increased 6.2 percent to 531,000 operations in the first six months, compared to nearly 500,000 in the same period of 2024. Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Mumbai, and Bahrain ranked among the top five most active routes.
Cargo volumes also strengthened, rising 4.74 percent to more than 2.2 million tonnes. National carriers handled 67 percent of total freight, underscoring the UAE’s dominance in regional logistics.
