The air transport sector in the United Arab Emirates experienced a robust start in January 2026, reflecting the industry’s dynamism and its potential for sustained growth that surpasses regional averages. This information comes from the monthly report published by the international data analytics firm OAG, which specializes in airline statistics.
According to the report, the total number of scheduled seat capacities for flights departing from the country’s airports reached 8.3 million in January, compared to 7.77 million seats during the same period in 2025, representing an increase of 6.8%. This growth continues the recovery trend observed in 2023 and 2024, highlighting strong demand for leisure, transit, and business travel at UAE airports.
The report further indicated that the UAE maintained its leading position in the Middle Eastern air transport market for January 2026, with its airports capturing 20.76% of the total seat capacity in the region, which surpassed 40 million scheduled seats for international outbound flights. This underscores the UAE’s status as a central hub for global travel, bolstered by its diverse air networks, modern airport infrastructure, and the expansion of its national airlines’ capacities and operational networks.
Furthermore, the analysis revealed that airlines operating from UAE airports added approximately 529,000 additional seats in January alone compared to the same month in 2025, illustrating significant growth over a single month. This reflects the ongoing expansion plans of the national carriers, the entry of new airlines at UAE airports, and heightened demand for travel to and from the country for tourism, transit, and business purposes.
Regionally, Saudi Arabia secured the second position in terms of scheduled seat capacity for January, with about 7.85 million seats, followed by Qatar with approximately 2.96 million seats, and Iran with 1.5 million seats.
Airlines
In terms of individual airlines, OAG data indicated that UAE national carriers continued to bolster their operational capabilities in January 2026, registering noteworthy growth in seat numbers compared to January 2025. Emirates Airlines strengthened its leading position by providing around 3.39 million scheduled seats in January 2026, up from 3.22 million in the same month of 2025, representing a growth rate of 5.3%. This growth reflects the continued expansion of the airline’s global network and increased operational frequency to key markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Similarly, Etihad Airways reported a strong growth trajectory, with approximately 1.4 million scheduled seats in January, compared to 1.13 million in January 2025.
Meanwhile, Flydubai increased its capacity to around 1.39 million seats in January 2026, compared to about 1.2 million seats in January 2025, achieving a growth rate of 12.7%. The airline continues to enhance its presence in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Indian subcontinent, which are significant sources of traffic to Dubai, while also focusing on improving connections with medium- and small-sized airports, thereby diversifying inbound tourism markets to the UAE. Air Arabia also scheduled over 954,000 seats in January 2026 compared to 812,000 in January 2025.
The operational indicators from the national carriers highlight the complementary roles among the three airlines in connecting the UAE with the world. Emirates Airlines takes the lead in transporting passengers to long-haul and medium-demand destinations, while Etihad Airways reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as a hub for international flights. Flydubai, on the other hand, serves many medium and emerging markets, enhancing the UAE’s position as a major international aviation center.
Airports
In terms of airport performance, the UAE also excelled regionally, with Dubai International Airport maintaining its status as the largest airport in the region by seating capacity, offering approximately 5.5 million seats in January, marking a 3.8% increase compared to the same month last year. Doha International Airport came in second with about 2.6 million seats, followed by King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah with approximately 2.39 million seats, and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with around 2.3 million seats. Abu Dhabi International Airport ranked fifth, with approximately 1.7 million scheduled seats for international outbound flights.
These collective indicators emphasize the UAE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its strategic position in global air transport, supported by an advanced transport system, high-capacity airports, and national airlines with robust operational and financial capabilities. This growth reflects the country’s increasing attractiveness as a tourist destination, coinciding with the expansion of the events, exhibitions, and conferences sector, as well as the continued influx of foreign investments and international tourists, making 2026 a year likely to register new operational peaks.