Dragonpass: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman Lead Regional Travel Expansion as GCC Mobility Enters New Era
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According to Dragonpass’ aggregated airport usage data across the GCC, Saudi Arabia recorded a 36% year-on-year surge in travel volumes this summer, with June 2025 marking the Kingdom’s highest travel month on record. This momentum reflects both the expansion of Saudi airport capacity and the growing appetite for leisure and business travel enabled by Saudi Vision 2030.
Bahrain saw a 208% rise in total travel activity compared to the previous year, the fastest of any GCC market, underscoring its evolution into a key regional connector and its amplified role in the Gulf’s tourism strategy.
Qatar also recorded significant growth with a 198.9% increase in travel, supported by new route development and the continued global appeal of Doha as a major events destination.
Meanwhile, Oman posted an 89.2% increase in travel volumes year-on-year, with August emerging as its peak month. This growth reflects both the Sultanate’s positioning as a premium heritage-focused destination and expanding connectivity through Muscat International Airport.
While the UAE remains the region’s leading global hub, it experienced a 21% decline in summer travel volumes, due to shifting seasonal patterns and strengthened competition from its rapidly rising neighbors.
A New Culture in GCC Travel: Premium Becomes Standard
The Dragonpass data highlights a clear shift in traveler behavior: airport lounge access is now considered part of the expected travel experience in the Gulf region.
Bahrain shows the highest lounge engagement in the world, with 1.35% of passengers accessing premium airport facilities, far higher than major hubs such as London Heathrow or Hong Kong. Saudi Arabia ranks second in the region, with 0.86% of passengers using airport lounges, followed by the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
This reflects a cultural change led by fast-growing affluence, an expanding business travel base and continued investment in world-class aviation experiences.
“Travel is becoming a defining measure of progress in the GCC. The surge we are seeing from GCC countires is not only about more people flying, it reflects dynamic economic growth and new international confidence. Airport experiences play a crucial role in that momentum. Dragonpass is committed to ensuring that as the region’s airports scale up, travelers enjoy a consistently elevated journey wherever they fly.” - Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer, Dragonpass.
With new hubs rising and traveler expectations advancing, Dragonpass is expanding partnerships and services across the GCC to support the next era of regional mobility, one shaped by speed, comfort, premium experiences and stronger global connectivity.
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About Dragonpass:
Dragonpass is a global leader in digitally enabled airport and travel services, offering access to over 1,400 airport lounges, 200 Fast Track lanes, 508 dining benefits, and 1000+ fitness studios across Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Asia, and other premium travel experiences. and other premium travel experiences. Supporting over 40 million users worldwide, Dragonpass partners with leading banks, card issuers, and travel providers to deliver seamless, customer-centric solutions. Headquartered in the UK, which serves as its global business hub, the company manages key partnerships and operations across a global network. Dragonpass also maintains regional offices in markets including UAE, Singapore, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, and China—reflecting its commitment to delivering locally relevant solutions at a global scale.
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