Dubai Airports, the operator of the world’s leading international airport, has been awarded the 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for its commitment to employee engagement. This prestigious award recognizes organizations that cultivate highly engaged workplace cultures globally.

In an evolving work environment, Dubai Airports has continuously explored innovative methods to engage and develop its workforce. The organization has achieved a significant milestone, reaching the 75th percentile in employee engagement, which places it among Gallup’s top companies known for prioritizing engagement as a core aspect of their business strategy.

Jon Clifton, Gallup’s chief executive officer, congratulated the winners, noting that their dedication to creating environments where employees feel valued and empowered is truly commendable. He emphasized that by focusing on both people and performance, these organizations are shaping the future of work and demonstrating that exceptional workplaces lead to tangible results.

Meshari Al Bannai, Chief People Officer at Dubai Airports, stated that engaged individuals drive success. He explained that this award reflects their ongoing efforts to foster a workplace that empowers and inspires their teams to perform at their best. By concentrating on wellbeing, growth, and collaboration, Dubai Airports aims to cultivate a dynamic culture where everyone can make meaningful contributions to the future of aviation.

Gallup’s research is the most extensive workplace study ever conducted, encompassing over 3.3 million employees across 347 organizations, 53 industries, and 90 countries. Organizations that are highly engaged typically exhibit improved performance in key areas such as customer experience, profitability, productivity, employee retention, safety, absenteeism, and overall workplace wellbeing.

Dubai Airports operates both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC). In 2024, DXB welcomed a record 92.3 million guests, making it the highest annual traffic in its history. It was also ranked as the world’s number one airport by international passenger numbers for 2023, according to the Airports Council International (ACI).

Furthermore, DWC represents Dubai’s vision for the future of aviation, with expansion plans announced in May 2024 involving a monumental investment of US$35 billion. Over the next decade, DWC aims to accommodate 150 million passengers annually, eventually expanding to manage up to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo, all while setting new standards for efficiency and passenger experience for the next 50 years.