Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are leading a surge in outbound travel across the Gulf, with Qatar and Oman also recording sharp increases as aviation capacity and tourism investments expand, according to new data from Dragonpass.
Based on aggregated airport usage figures across the GCC, Dragonpass reported that Saudi Arabia saw a 36 per cent year-on-year rise in travel volumes this summer, with June 2025 marking the Kingdom’s busiest month on record.
The increase reflects growing demand for business and leisure travel, driven by Saudi Vision 2030 and expanding airport infrastructure.
Bahrain registered the strongest growth in the region with a 208 per cent rise in total travel activity compared to last year, highlighting its emergence as a key connector within the Gulf’s tourism network.
Qatar also posted a 198.9 per cent increase, supported by new air routes and the continuing global appeal of Doha as an international events destination.
Oman recorded an 89.2 per cent year-on-year increase, with August emerging as its peak month. The growth mirrors the Sultanate’s focus on heritage-led tourism and enhanced connectivity through Muscat International Airport.
While the UAE remains the region’s primary aviation hub, it saw a 21 per cent fall in summer travel volumes. Dragonpass said this reflected shifting seasonal patterns and stronger competition from neighbouring markets.
The data also pointed to a wider shift in passenger behaviour, with airport lounge access now becoming a core part of the Gulf travel experience. Bahrain ranked first globally for lounge engagement, with 1.35 per cent of travellers using premium airport facilities, a higher rate than at major hubs such as London Heathrow or Hong Kong.
Saudi Arabia ranked second regionally at 0.86 per cent, followed by the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
The report attributes this trend to rising affluence, growth in business travel and continued investment in luxury aviation services across the GCC.
“Travel is becoming a defining measure of progress in the GCC. The surge we are seeing from GCC countries is not only about more people flying, it reflects dynamic economic growth and new international confidence,” said Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass. “Airport experiences play a crucial role in that momentum.”
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