Qatar Airways has further cemented its reputation as a global aviation leader by sweeping the top honors at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held at the Paris Air Show’s Air and Space Museum.

The airline was named the World’s Best Airline for a record ninth time, an unprecedented achievement in the 26-year history of the awards, often dubbed the “Oscars of the aviation industry”. This recognition highlights Qatar Airways’ sustained excellence in service, innovation, and passenger satisfaction.

In addition to the coveted overall title, Qatar Airways dominated the Business Class categories. The airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, with its signature Qsuite once again earning praise for its industry-leading privacy, comfort, and innovative design.

The Qsuite’s unique features, such as sliding doors and the option to create double beds or private suites for families and colleagues, have set new benchmarks for business travel luxury.

The Al Mourjan Garden Lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha was named the World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, recognized for its sophisticated design, extensive amenities, and tranquil atmosphere that offers travelers a premium pre-flight experience.

The lounge is part of the airport’s broader commitment to excellence, with Hamad International itself having recently been awarded for the world’s best airport shopping experience.

Qatar Airways also retained the title of Best Airline in the Middle East, further establishing its dominance in the region amid strong competition from other Gulf carriers like Emirates and Saudia.

CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer emphasized that these accolades are a testament to the passion, precision, and dedication of the airline’s staff, both on the frontlines and behind the scenes, as they strive to set new standards in aviation.

Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted lauded Qatar Airways’ remarkable achievement, noting the airline’s consistently high performance across multiple categories and its role in shaping the future of air travel.

The airline’s continued recognition as a Skytrax Five-Star Airline further underscores its mission to deliver world-class service and inspire loyalty among millions of travelers worldwide.

For the year 2025, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) has been ranked as the best airport in the world according to the AirHelp Score, a global ranking by AirHelp, an online flight compensation and passenger rights service. After evaluating more than 200 airports based on punctuality, service quality, and amenities, Cape Town secured the top spot with an outstanding score of 8.57 out of 10.

The AirHelp Score is based on three key factors: on-time performance (weighted at 60%), service quality (20%), and food and shopping (20%). Cape Town International Airport scored 8.6 for punctuality and an even higher 8.7 for customer experience, showcasing its operational excellence and passenger satisfaction. This ranking underlines CPT's reputation not just for efficiency but also for the quality of services and amenities it offers passengers.

Cape Town offers travelers more than just an excellent airport. Upon arrival, breathtaking views of Table Mountain greet visitors, with opportunities to explore this iconic landmark via cable car or hiking. The city itself is rich with history and culture, from the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood to Robben Island, Mandela’s place of imprisonment. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront provides vibrant dining, shopping, and entertainment options, all set against the backdrop of Table Mountain. Nearby, Chapman’s Peak Drive presents one of the world's most scenic coastal road trips.

Trailing closely behind Cape Town are Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar, with a score of 8.52, and Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Saudi Arabia, scoring 8.47. Other airports in the top ten include Brasília Juscelino Kubitschek Airport (BSB) in Brazil, Muscat International Airport (MCT) in Oman, Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in South Africa, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)—the highest-ranked U.S. airport—with 8.29, Bergen Airport (BGO) in Norway, and King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Saudi Arabia.

This ranking highlights Cape Town International Airport’s rising status as a world-class aviation hub, supported by Southern Africa’s growing investment in infrastructure and passenger-centric services. For travelers planning trips, the AirHelp Score can be a useful indicator of which airports offer the best experience for punctuality and quality amenities.

Zayed International Airport (AUH), Abu Dhabi’s premier aviation gateway, has proudly attained the Airports Council International (ACI) World Level 2 Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation, underscoring its accelerated commitment to fostering an inclusive and universally accessible travel environment. This achievement builds on the airport’s earlier Level 1 accreditation in 2024 and represents a significant leap in integrating accessibility as a core operational and cultural principle throughout the airport’s services and infrastructure.

The Level 2 accreditation acknowledges AUH’s successful implementation of a comprehensive accessibility strategy, backed by a robust governance framework and intensive training programs for its workforce. This strategy ensures that services across the airport cater to the diverse needs of passengers with disabilities, enhancing their journey with thoughtful, universal design principles. From physical infrastructure to digital platforms, the airport now embeds accessibility as a fundamental pillar of its operation.

Aligned closely with landmark national guidelines including the UAE’s National Policy for Empowering People of Determination, Federal Law No. 29 on the Rights of People with Special Needs, and the UAE Digital Accessibility Policy, AUH exceeds minimum regulatory requirements. Its efforts span inclusive design, extensive disability awareness training for employees and partners, and proactive stakeholder engagement, ensuring that all staff are equipped to support travelers with varying abilities comprehensively.

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, expressed pride in the airport’s pioneering role: “From the outset, we envisioned Zayed International Airport not just as a transit hub, but as a world-class gateway embracing every passenger. Achieving Level 2 Accessibility Accreditation, building on last year’s Level 1 recognition, reaffirms that vision.

This success reflects the dedication of our entire team to making accessibility integral to our identity and a testament to the UAE’s inclusive values of dignity and respect for all.”

Operational accessibility enhancements are complemented by advanced digital accessibility features. The AUH website adheres to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and incorporates the Recite Me assistive technology platform. This suite of tools supports passengers with visual impairments, dyslexia, learning difficulties, and language barriers by offering functionalities such as text-to-speech, reading aids, customizable fonts, and website content translation into over 100 languages.

The digital platform improvements enhance usability, engagement, and confidence for a wide range of users, reinforcing AUH’s reputation as a forward-thinking, socially responsible, and passenger-centered airport.

AUH also focuses on inclusivity beyond visible disabilities by actively supporting programs such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Initiative, which helps identify and assist passengers with hidden disabilities who may need additional care. The airport has developed specialized areas like the new Sensory Space, designed in partnership with the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and the SEDRA Foundation.

This calming and supportive environment offers ambient lighting, comfortable seating, and sensory-friendly resources tailored for both children and adults with sensory sensitivities, further solidifying AUH as a leader in passenger well-being and accessibility.

Additional services at the airport include complimentary baby strollers for families, dedicated check-in counters for People of Determination, and a newly opened Service Animal and Pet Relief Area, providing a comfortable space for service animals and pets to rest. These amenities are supported by ongoing staff training programs that enhance sensitivity and professionalism when assisting travelers with diverse requirements.

Frank McCrorie, Chief Operations Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, highlighted the holistic approach: “From the Sensory Space to accessibility accreditation, our initiatives underscore a genuine commitment to making every passenger feel welcomed and supported. We prioritize a seamless, dignified travel experience that embraces inclusiveness at every touchpoint.”

Similarly, Dania Mikdad Aladhami, Accessibility Specialist at the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, emphasized the importance of well-trained frontline staff in shaping positive travel experiences for people of determination, praising AUH’s dedication and enthusiasm in advancing accessibility standards.

Since its inception, Zayed International Airport has been designed with accessibility as a core priority, continually innovating through staff development, technological integration, and facility enhancements. This comprehensive dedication ensures that AUH not only serves as a strategic transport hub but also sets global benchmarks in delivering universal accessibility and exceptional passenger care.

This landmark achievement in accessibility accreditation strengthens Abu Dhabi Airports’ leadership in inclusive aviation practices and reinforces the nation’s commitment to creating a travel environment welcoming to everyone, regardless of ability.

The total passenger traffic across Omani airports reached approximately 8.37 million by the end of July 2025, marking a slight decline of 1.3% compared to the same period last year when 8.48 million passengers were recorded. This overall decrease reflects shifting travel patterns amid ongoing regional and global dynamics affecting air travel.

Muscat International Airport, Oman’s largest and busiest airport, carried the bulk of this traffic with 7.45 million passengers, representing a 1.5% drop from 7.57 million in 2024. The number of flights at Muscat also declined by 5.9%, totaling 53,170 compared to 56,498 over the same timeframe. This reduction may suggest slightly lower airline capacity or demand at the country’s main gateway, potentially influenced by factors such as seasonal fluctuations or changes in international connectivity.

By contrast, Salalah Airport bucked this trend with a healthy increase in passenger traffic of 5.2%, welcoming 870,616 passengers by July 2025, up from 827,486 in 2024. Flights at Salalah also rose by 1.4% to 5,881, pointing to growing travel interest in Oman’s southern region, possibly driven by tourism development, expanding flight options, or improved service levels.

Sohar Airport experienced a dramatic decrease in activity, with passenger numbers plummeting by an overwhelming 85.3% to just 6,831 compared to 46,578 the previous year. The number of flights also fell sharply from 384 to only 130. This significant decline may be attributable to reduced airline operations, shifting demand, or strategic realignments impacting the airport’s utilization.

Duqm Airport showed a more balanced performance, seeing a modest passenger increase of 2.4% to 35,622 while flight movements slightly dipped by 0.6% to 360. Duqm’s steady traffic suggests a stable yet cautious growth, which could reflect the airport’s evolving role in supporting regional connectivity and economic development.

Looking at nationalities, Omanis were the dominant travelers through Muscat International Airport in July 2025, with a total of 210,239 passengers—96,858 arrivals and 113,381 departures. This indicates strong domestic outbound and inbound travel. Indian nationals were the second-largest group with 186,402 passengers, followed by Pakistani nationals at 47,777. This distribution highlights the important role of expatriate communities in Oman’s air travel market and underlines key international travel corridors.

These airport traffic figures provide valuable insight into travel trends within Oman, reflecting the country’s transportation infrastructure dynamics amid a complex global environment. As international travel continues adapting to economic and geopolitical shifts, Omani airports are showing areas of both resilience and challenge, with regional airports like Salalah gaining momentum, while others like Sohar face marked declines.

Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha has achieved a new historic peak in passenger traffic, recording more than 5 million travelers in a single month, the highest monthly figure since the airport began operations in 2014. Officials confirmed that this record reflects the global strength of Qatar’s aviation sector, led by the national carrier Qatar Airways, and the airport’s growing reputation as one of the premier international transit hubs in the world.

The achievement comes amid a steady recovery and expansion in global air travel demand, with HIA positioned at the core of Qatar’s long-term vision to transform into a leading aviation hub connecting Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Airport authorities credited the milestone to several factors, including Qatar Airways’ expanding global network, which now serves more than 160 destinations, and Doha’s central role as a stopover choice for millions of international travelers. Additionally, Qatar’s thriving tourism industry, bolstered by major international events such as the FIFA World Cup 2022, regional sports tournaments, large-scale business summits, and cultural festivals, has continued to fuel inbound visitor growth.

This has been complemented by the government’s streamlined visa policies, including initiatives like visitor visa-on-arrival services for citizens of over 95 countries, making Qatar one of the world’s most accessible destinations.

The airport emphasized that achieving such passenger volumes would not have been possible without its significant infrastructure expansions in recent years. The completion of Phase A of its expansion project, which opened in time for the 2022 World Cup, added new lounges, entertainment zones, retail spaces, and additional gates designed to improve operational capacity.

With these enhancements, HIA has been able to process millions of passengers monthly while maintaining efficient transit connections and minimizing congestion. Future phases of expansion will continue to focus on sustainability, passenger comfort, and advanced biometric-driven “smart travel” technologies to further streamline passenger journeys.

HIA has consistently ranked among the world’s top airports, receiving international recognition such as being named “Best Airport in the World” by Skytrax multiple times in the past decade. Its reputation for service excellence, world-class architecture, and integrated retail and hospitality offerings has made it not only a transit hub but also a destination in itself, attracting travelers to experience its features such as the Orchard indoor tropical garden and art installations from world-renowned artists.

Airport management stressed that handling over 5 million passengers in one month proved HIA’s ability to combine growth with quality, setting benchmarks for global airport operations.

HIA and Qatar Airways continue to work in tandem to expand Qatar’s aviation footprint, supported by the country’s long-term economic diversification strategies. With more global travelers choosing Doha as their connecting point, the airport is expected to play a central role in shaping the future of Middle Eastern aviation. The record-breaking month reflects both Qatar’s rising prominence on the global travel map and its ongoing commitment to delivering a seamless journey to every passenger.

Dubai further cemented its position as the UAE’s primary aviation hub in 2024, handling the majority of passenger traffic and aircraft movements across the country, according to fresh data released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports collectively accounted for an impressive 65 to 68 percent of all passenger and civil aircraft activity nationwide.

Passenger numbers in Dubai surged to 101 million last year, a 6.6 percent increase from 94.75 million in 2023, underscoring the city’s vital role as a leading global transit gateway. Across the entire UAE, total passenger traffic climbed 11.5 percent year-on-year to 148 million an addition of 15.3 million travelers compared to the previous year.

Passenger flows showed a nearly balanced split across arrivals (41.67 million, 28 percent) and departures (41.76 million, 28.5 percent), while transit passengers made up the largest portion at 44.5 percent, or 64.4 million. Within Dubai’s total, arrivals accounted for 28.5 million, departures for 28.8 million, and transit passengers reached 43.66 million.

Abu Dhabi International Airport ranked second nationally with 30.9 million passengers—21 percent of the UAE total marking a strong 31 percent jump from 2023. The capital’s figures included 7.94 million arrivals, 7.7 million departures, and 15.26 million transit passengers.

Sharjah International Airport came third, handling 15.3 million passengers (10.3 percent share), up 11 percent year-on-year. Notably, Ras Al Khaimah experienced the steepest growth with an 88 percent increase, serving 640,000 passengers. Fujairah also doubled its traffic, managing 61,120 passengers compared to just under 30,000 the previous year. Meanwhile, smaller local airports processed only 1,380 passengers, down 20 percent.

Aircraft movements across the UAE mirrored this growth, rising sharply to 771,800 civil aircraft operations in 2024—an 11.2 percent increase over 694,050 movements in 2023. Dubai accounted for nearly 64 percent of these operations, with 488,520 flights divided almost evenly between 244,200 arrivals and 244,300 departures, representing an 8.5 percent increase.

Abu Dhabi followed with 168,100 aircraft movements (22 percent of the total), up 21 percent year-on-year. Sharjah logged 108,110 movements, marking a 9.3 percent rise, while Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah also saw double-digit growth in flight operations, with 5,620 (up 21 percent) and 1,450 (up 18 percent) movements respectively.

These robust figures highlight Dubai’s continuing dominance in the UAE aviation sector and reflect the nation’s broader success in becoming a major global air travel and transit hub, attracting record passenger volumes and expanding its operational capacity.