Dubai Airport Named 5th Largest Hub in the World for Low-Cost Airlines

DUBAI, UAE– Dubai International Airport (DXB) has been recognized as the Middle East’s best low-cost hub in 2025. The accolade comes from the latest OAG Mega Hubs 2025 report, which assessed connectivity and low-cost carrier (LCC) performance worldwide.

In the global context, DXB ranks as the world’s 5th most connected low-cost hub. The achievement underscores the airport’s dynamic aviation strategy and the rising influence of budget travel within the UAE’s broader network.

Photo: Dubai Airshow

Dubai Airport: Low-Cost Hub

DXB has the highest volume of potential LCC connections in its category. flydubai, on the other hand, operates approximately 28 percent of the airport’s flights and has driven a year-on-year increase of 4 percent in low-cost routes.

Dubai Airport’s success in low-cost connectivity comes despite its established status as a premium hub. The airport also secured 15th place globally in the overall “most connected airports” ranking, up from 16th last year.

DXB remains the UAE’s busiest international hub and handled over 92 million passengers in 2024, a 6.1 percent increase from the previous year.

This new ranking reinforces Dubai’s commitment to enhancing both full-service and low-cost operations side by side. It signals that DXB is positioning itself not just as a premium international gateway, but as a competitive hub for budget travel as well.

Dubai International Airport; Photo- Kgbo; Wikimedia Commons

Regional and Global Comparisons

While DXB leads regionally, Istanbul Airport (IST) made the most dramatic rise in the Middle East, leaping from 8th to 2nd place globally in low-cost connectivity. Turkish Airlines controls about 79 percent of flights there.

In the broader Middle East rankings, DXB is followed by Riyadh (RUH) and Doha (DOH).

Riyadh climbed from 42nd to 31st globally, while Doha remains a strong contender with a 77 percent share of Qatar Airways flights.

By diversifying its connectivity, DXB can capture growing segments in global aviation, especially among price-conscious travelers. The performance may also strengthen its negotiating leverage with airlines and partners looking to expand in the Middle East.

To support future growth, Dubai’s authorities plan to shift much of the airport’s operations to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), which is slated to become the primary airport with a projected capacity of up to 260 million passengers.

Photo: SAAB

Bottom Line

DXB’s top regional position in low-cost connectivity does not come without challenges. The airport must ensure infrastructure, capacity, and operational efficiency keep pace with growing demand.

Moreover, balancing premium and budget services requires a nuanced strategy to avoid internal competition.

Overall, DXB’s dual success—ranking high in both low-cost and full-service categories—affirms its position as a dynamic aviation hub.

As airlines expand and travelers seek more options, Dubai stands ready to serve as a key gateway connecting the Middle East to global destinations.

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News

The post Dubai Airport Named 5th Largest Hub in the World for Low-Cost Airlines appeared first on Aviation A2Z.