The data shows that 56% of all regional travel now
takes place between June and November, indicating an extended peak period
rather than short seasonal spikes. July, August, and October emerged as the
busiest months, while March was the only month in which all six markets
experienced a simultaneous slowdown.
Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief
Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “This extended peak reflects a maturing travel market. Travel
demand in the GCC is no longer seasonal in the traditional sense – it’s
continuous, high-volume and increasingly complex to manage.”
Despite this shift, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates continued to anchor regional travel flows, together accounting for
nearly 80% of total GCC travel. The same seasonal travel pattern was observed
consistently across all six markets, indicating a shared regional rhythm.
Alongside sustained demand, the analysis highlights a
decentralisation of airport traffic. In 2025, secondary airports accounted for
32.4% of total GCC travel, representing a year-on-year increase as travellers
increasingly departed from a broader range of gateways.
While Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah remained the largest
hubs, collectively handling more than two-thirds of total traffic, their
overall dominance showed signs of easing. Traffic share continued to grow at
Riyadh and Jeddah, while secondary airports across the region captured a larger
proportion of travel volumes.
Andrew Harrison-Chinn added: “This isn’t about the decline of major hubs. It’s about the
expansion of choice. Travellers are spreading across more airports as
connectivity improves and travel becomes more distributed.”
The shift was more pronounced among premium
travellers. Data from 2025 shows that 47% of premium travel activity took place
outside the top three airports, reflecting changing expectations around where
premium journeys originate.
During the same period, Fast Track usage increased by
1,010% year-on-year. The data indicates growing demand for speed,
predictability, and control, particularly during extended peak periods, with
time becoming an increasingly valued aspect of the travel experience.
Andrew Harrison-Chinn said: “Premium travel is no longer
defined solely by luxury spaces. In a high-demand environment, efficiency has
become the ultimate upgrade.”
The findings suggest that as travel volumes remain
elevated for longer periods and spread across a wider airport network,
airports, airlines, and service providers will face increasing pressure to
adapt infrastructure, passenger flow management, and experience design to a
region operating in sustained motion.
Tags: Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Dragonpass, GCC