DXB handles 517,000 tonnes of cargo in Q1 2025 amid global shifts

Dubai International Airport (DXB) continued to play a vital role in global cargo logistics in the first quarter of 2025, processing 517,000 tonnes of freight, according to data released by Dubai Airports. While this represents a modest year-on-year contraction of 3.6%, the volume underscores DXB’s enduring status as a strategic hub for air cargo in the region.

The slight dip in freight throughput comes amid ongoing global headwinds, including shifts in supply chain patterns and persistent geopolitical tensions impacting trade flows across key routes. Despite these challenges, DXB’s ability to maintain high cargo volumes reflects the resilience of its integrated logistics infrastructure and the agility of its air freight partners.

Industry experts note that while traditional sea freight routes continue to face disruption, particularly due to the ongoing Red Sea crisis, air cargo remains a dependable alternative for time-sensitive shipments. DXB’s strategic location, capable of reaching two-thirds of the world’s population within an eight-hour flight, makes it a preferred transit point for perishable goods, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and high-value equipment.

The airport’s commitment to operational excellence also played a key role in supporting efficient cargo movement throughout the quarter. Enhanced handling systems, digital tracking platforms, and AI-led forecasting tools helped ensure that service standards remained consistent, even with tightening global delivery windows.

Looking back at 2024, Dubai’s combined cargo operations across DXB and Dubai World Central (DWC) reached 2.8 million tonnes, marking an 18.5% increase over the previous year. This significant growth underscores the emirate’s strengthening position as a global freight hub.

Speaking at the World Cargo Symposium (WCS) by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), held earlier this month in Dubai, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, highlighted the outsized importance of air cargo in the global economy, stating, “Despite air cargo only accounting for 1% of trade by volume, it contributes to 35% of global trade value. It’s more than logistics—it’s leverage. It’s how the world moves.”

This perspective underscores the critical role that air cargo plays in enabling high-value, time-sensitive global trade. From pharmaceuticals and electronics to luxury goods and perishable exports, DXB remains a vital hub for the fast, secure movement of premium freight. The marginal year-on-year decline in volume, while notable, does little to diminish the airport’s importance as a strategic logistics gateway connecting East and West.

Griffiths’ remarks serve as a reminder that even as volumes fluctuate, the value and urgency of what moves through DXB remains high. With global supply chains continuing to evolve, especially in e-commerce, healthcare logistics, and just-in-time manufacturing, DXB is positioned not only as a transit point but as a facilitator of high-value trade that fuels regional and international economies.

Summing up, Griffiths said: “Cargo saves lives. It connects continents. It breaches barriers. Dubai is not responding to what’s next—we are shaping the future.”

With continued emphasis on speed, scale, and sustainability, DXB remains not only a passenger gateway but also a critical cargo corridor linking global markets.