Dubai South records 17% growth in business aviation movements in 2025, sets new record

Dubai South has announced a record-breaking year for business aviation, with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) recording 20,289 business aviation movements in 2025, marking a 17% year-on-year increase and the highest private jet activity ever recorded in Dubai.

Officials said Q4 2025 alone accounted for 6,926 movements, representing an 18% increase compared with the same period in 2024, highlighting sustained demand across the private and business aviation sector.

The hub operates at Al Maktoum International Airport, which maintained its ranking as the busiest airport for business aviation movements in the Middle East.

Growth was supported by Dubai’s continued strength as a global hub for business, exhibitions, leisure, and entertainment, along with major international events such as Dubai Airshow, GITEX Global, and the World Government Summit.

According to figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the emirate welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, a 5% increase compared with 2024 — a factor that also contributed to higher aviation traffic.

Commenting on the milestone, Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, said the record growth in business aviation movements reflects Dubai’s continued evolution as a global centre for aviation, trade, and tourism. He added that Dubai South is focused on building a future-ready aviation ecosystem that supports long-term demand, seamless operations, and the leadership vision of positioning Dubai as the aviation capital of the world.

MBRAH serves as a free-zone aerospace destination offering high-level connectivity and hosting global airlines, private jet operators, maintenance centres, and aviation training campuses.