Dubai, Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi are preparing for a dramatically larger flow of international travellers as major airport expansion projects across the Gulf increase aviation capacity and strengthen connections to tourism destinations. Dubai International handled a record 95.2 million passengers in 2025, while Al Maktoum International is being developed toward an eventual capacity of more than 260 million passengers annually. Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport is targeting 100 million passengers by 2030, while Hamad International Airport in Doha has already expanded capacity beyond 65 million.
Dubai prepares for a massive tourism gateway
Dubai International remains one of the world’s busiest international aviation gateways. The airport recorded 95.2 million guests in 2025, an increase of 3.1% from the previous year, with its network reaching 291 destinations across 110 countries through 108 international airlines.
The next major development is Al Maktoum International in Dubai South. Its expansion is planned in phases, with the initial development expected to accommodate up to 150 million passengers annually before eventually reaching more than 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo. The completed airport is planned to have five runways and four passenger concourses.
For visitors, the airport expansion is closely linked to Dubai South and the wider development of accommodation, entertainment, business and leisure facilities around the new aviation hub. The project is designed to support Dubai’s long-term role as an international gateway while providing capacity for future visitor growth.
Riyadh targets 100 million passengers
Riyadh is also building a major aviation gateway through King Salman International Airport. The airport’s master plan covers 57 square kilometres and includes six parallel runways, with passenger capacity planned to reach 100 million annually by 2030.
The airport is being developed as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme and is intended to connect Riyadh with international markets across Asia, Africa and Europe. The project includes airport facilities as well as supporting residential, commercial, recreational and logistics areas.
For tourism, greater aviation capacity will connect travellers directly with Riyadh, where visitors can explore historic districts, cultural attractions, museums, restaurants and large-scale entertainment destinations. The capital is also becoming a base for journeys to other parts of Saudi Arabia.
Doha expands its gateway for global visitors
Doha’s Hamad International Airport has already completed a major expansion. The opening of Concourses D and E increased annual capacity to more than 65 million passengers and added 17 aircraft contact gates, bringing the total to 62. The terminal now covers 845,000 square metres.
The airport handled 54.3 million passengers in 2025, with 57 airline partners serving its growing international network. Passenger traffic between Doha and international destinations increased during the year, supported by tourism, trade and major events.
For travellers, Hamad International provides access to Doha’s museums, waterfront districts, cultural attractions, shopping areas and hospitality developments. Qatar’s compact geography also allows visitors to combine city experiences with desert excursions, coastal activities and cultural sites during the same trip.
Abu Dhabi strengthens its international connections
Abu Dhabi is expanding its tourism gateway alongside continued growth at Zayed International Airport. Abu Dhabi Airports recorded more than 33 million passengers across the emirate’s airports in 2025, while Zayed International handled the majority of passenger traffic. The network expanded with 39 new route launches and seven additional airlines during the year.
The emirate also recorded 26.6 million visitors in 2025 across its culture and tourism sectors, with hotel revenues reaching AED9.1 billion. Cultural attractions, leisure events and museums formed important parts of the visitor experience.
Travellers arriving through Zayed International can access Abu Dhabi’s major attractions, including Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Qasr Al Watan and the city’s cultural districts. The airport’s expanding network also supports connections to the wider UAE.
Airports are connecting tourism destinations
The Gulf’s airport investments are developing alongside airline networks, hotels, attractions and destination projects. That connection is particularly important for tourism because airports determine how easily international visitors can reach cities, resorts and emerging destinations.
Dubai’s airport system supports access to the emirate’s urban attractions and surrounding leisure destinations. Riyadh provides an expanding gateway to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and entertainment developments. Doha connects travellers with Qatar’s museums, beaches and desert landscapes, while Abu Dhabi links international visitors with cultural, leisure and island destinations.
Gulf tourism moves toward 2030
The scale of the projects shows how aviation infrastructure is being planned around future travel demand. Dubai’s Al Maktoum International is designed for an eventual capacity exceeding 260 million passengers, Riyadh’s King Salman International is targeting 100 million by 2030, and Doha’s Hamad International has already expanded beyond 65 million annual passengers.
For international travellers, these developments mean larger gateways, more routes and greater capacity across several of the Gulf’s leading tourism centres. As construction, airline expansion and destination development continue toward 2030, Dubai, Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi are positioning their airports as essential entry points for the region’s next phase of international tourism.
