Strategic Location
By air
| Airport | Traffic | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai International (DXB) | 31.5 million passengers in H1 2026, down 31.3% | 217 destinations in 99 countries, almost 50 international airlines |
| Zayed International, Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 32.5 million passengers in 2025; over 93,000 a day in late June 2026 | More than 100 destinations |
Source: Dubai Media Incorporated: DXB welcomed 31.5 million guests in H1 2026; Gulf News: Zayed International Airport welcomes more than 93,000 passengers a day (July 2026)1,2
Dubai's traffic recovered through the second quarter, from 3.5 million passengers in April to 5 million in June, as airlines restored capacity after the regional airspace closures.1
By sea
- Jebel Ali has four terminals, over 100 berths and 25 km of quay, with capacity for 19.4 million TEU a year.
- It handled 15.5 million TEU in 2024, up 1 million on the year before.
- In 2025 its origin and destination volumes grew about 9%, and DP World's Dubai terminals handled 1.5 million vehicles.
Source: Dubai Media Office: DP World records highest cargo volumes at Jebel Ali Port since 2015; DP World: Results for 20253,4
By rail
Etihad Rail's 900 km network runs from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah, with freight running through 11 terminals and four major ports.5
Trade agreements
The UAE has signed 38 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements since September 2021, and 18 were in force by July 2026. Non-oil foreign trade reached AED 3.8 trillion in 2025.6,7
Before choosing a hub, check flight times and freight routes to your own customers; the right emirate depends on where they are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the UAE's location good for business?
Dubai International connects to 217 destinations in 99 countries, Jebel Ali port can handle 19.4 million TEU a year, Etihad Rail runs 900 km from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah, and the UAE has signed 38 trade agreements since 2021. Air traffic fell sharply in 2026 because of the regional conflict, then recovered through the second quarter.
Sources
- Dubai Media Incorporated: DXB welcomed 31.5 million guests in H1 2026
- Gulf News: Zayed International Airport welcomes more than 93,000 passengers a day (July 2026)
- Dubai Media Office: DP World records highest cargo volumes at Jebel Ali Port since 2015
- DP World: Results for 2025
- Etihad Rail: The UAE's national rail project
- Emirates News Agency (WAM): UAE expands its presence on global trade map (15 August 2026)
- Emirates News Agency (WAM): UAE concludes 37 CEPAs (20 July 2026)
- UAE Government Portal: About the UAE
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.