SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, Jan 21, 2026 — Sharjah International Airport handled a record 19.48 million passengers in 2025, up from 17.1 million a year earlier, as the emirate strengthened its role as a regional aviation and logistics hub, the Sharjah Airport Authority said on Tuesday.
Passenger traffic rose 13.9 percent year on year, continuing steady growth from 15.36 million passengers in 2023, driven by network expansion, rising tourism demand and enhanced operational capacity.
The number of flights reached 116,657 in 2025, compared with 107,760 in 2024, an increase of 8.3 percent, underlining Sharjah Airport’s expanding regional and international connectivity.
Air cargo volumes also continued to grow, with handled freight reaching 204,323 tonnes in 2025, up from 195,909 tonnes in 2024 and 141,358 tonnes in 2023. Sea–air cargo traffic rose to 16,770 tonnes in 2025, from 14,035 tonnes the previous year, reflecting increasing demand for integrated logistics solutions.
The airport authority said the growth reinforced Sharjah’s position as a strategic logistics hub linking Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, supported by partnerships with global cargo operators and rising demand for air and sea–air freight services.
Ali Salem Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Airport Authority, said the results reflected the success of the airport’s long-term strategy and continued investment in infrastructure, digital systems and sustainability initiatives, alongside expanding airline and logistics partnerships.
Director Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi said the airport’s performance highlighted its role in supporting travel, trade and business activity, backed by advanced infrastructure, operational governance and a supportive regulatory environment.
Sharjah Airport expanded its flight network in 2025 with new direct destinations. Air Arabia launched services from Sharjah to cities including Krabi, Munich, Prague, Warsaw Modlin, Vienna, Addis Ababa, Sochi and Damascus, and announced the addition of London from March 2026. New routes were also added to Ahvaz, Qeshm and Bandar Abbas in Iran.
Four international airlines — SalamAir of Oman, Caspian Airlines of Iran, Fly Sham of Syria and Ethiopian Airlines — joined Sharjah Airport in 2025, boosting connectivity to more than 100 global destinations.
The airport also rolled out new passenger services, including home check-in, a hospitality lounge service for arrivals and departures, and UAE-wide first 5G+ network coverage in cooperation with telecoms operator du. Additional initiatives included smart digital systems, upgraded medical facilities, an in-airport transit hotel, personalised assistance services for elderly passengers and people of determination, and a 24-hour passport renewal service for UAE citizens.
