Dubai International Airport (DXB) has earned yet another feather in its cap. To be honest, we all know it’s one of the world’s busiest hubs, famous for luxury lounges and nonstop flights. But here’s the kicker: DXB is now officially one of the top five airports globally for low-cost flights. And yes, budget travel and Dubai luxury don’t usually go hand in hand, but somehow DXB has nailed it.
DXB Makes Top 5 Airports For Low-Cost Flights, Here’s What That Means
The ranking comes from the OAG Megahubs report, which looks at destinations, flight connections, and the share of low-cost carriers. DXB came in fifth overall, making it the best in the Middle East for travellers hunting for affordable tickets. Not bad, right?
In 2025, the airport expanded its low-cost options by 4%, now offering routes to 280 cities worldwide. That’s 19,727 low-cost connections, covering 28% of all flights from DXB. Truth be told, for a city often associated with luxury, it’s a smart move; budget travellers now have plenty of reasons to fly through Dubai.
flydubai, The Budget Hero
Much of this rise is thanks to flydubai, Dubai’s homegrown low-cost airline. It flies to more than 120 destinations, think Istanbul, Milan, Tbilisi, Colombo, Bucharest with fares often under AED1,000 one-way. Seasonal schedules mean you can catch great deals almost any time of the year. Come on, we all know a cheap flight that doesn’t feel like a nightmare is rare; it’s actually doable.
More Affordable Airlines To Check Out
It’s not just flydubai. Several other budget carriers make DXB a hotspot for wallet-friendly travel:
- Air India Express: major Indian cities from around AED220 one-way.
- AJet (formerly AnadoluJet): Europe and North Africa, Istanbul fares from AED340.
- Cebu Pacific: Manila to Dubai, round-trips around AED1,000 during sales.
- flynas, Jazeera Airways, Pegasus Airlines, SalamAir: various regional and international destinations under AED1,000.
Basically, if you like hopping around without blowing your savings, DXB now has you covered.
Also Read: After DXB, Sharjah Airport Issues Travel Advisory For Summer Travel Rush
How Dubai Compares Regionally
Globally, DXB sits behind Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Incheon, Manila Ninoy Aquino, and Hong Kong. Within the GCC, the next highest is Riyadh King Khalid International, ranked 14th, with 118 low-cost destinations. So yes, Dubai isn’t just keeping up it’s leading the region.
So, whether you’re off to Europe for a weekend or heading home to India, DXB now offers budget-friendly convenience without losing the Dubai touch. After all, this city may sparkle with luxury, but it’s proving it can handle affordability too.
Cover Image Courtesy: DXB Airport/X