Emirates: 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.

The expansion of UAE-based airlines — with 15 new destinations launched across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East — further fueled the sector’s momentum.

Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri, minister of economy and chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the UAE is reinforcing its international and regional aviation standing through “record-breaking growth.”

“This growth stems from innovative national strategies that have elevated our competitiveness and leadership in a vital sector that now plays a central role in economic development, trade, tourism, investment, and job creation across aviation-linked industries,” Al-Marri said, reported WAM.

He added: “The performance indicators for the first half of 2025 demonstrate the sector’s resilience and sustainability, as well as the competitiveness of our airports, national carriers, and air traffic management. Aviation serves as a critical bridge connecting the UAE to the world and is a key enabler of our long-term economic goals.”

Al-Marri noted that the UAE would continue expanding its air connectivity through advanced legislation, open-market policies, and infrastructure development.

Saif Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, director general of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the aviation sector is on a steady growth trajectory.

“These positive indicators reflect the sector’s strong infrastructure and the unified efforts of all partners, from airport operators and airlines to air traffic controllers,” Al-Suwaidi said.

He expressed pride in the consistent growth in passenger and cargo volumes, citing ambitious development projects aimed at supporting this expansion. The current combined capacity of the UAE’s airports now exceeds 160 million passengers annually.

Al-Suwaidi reaffirmed confidence in the sector’s ability to sustain its pivotal role in boosting the national economy, driving tourism and trade, and strengthening the UAE’s role as a key regional and global air transport hub.