The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirmed via X on 12 December that Thursday, 1 January 2026, will be a fully paid holiday for private-sector employees, aligning with the public-sector calendar. Although offices are expected to reopen on Friday 2 January, travel agencies anticipate many residents will bridge the gap into the first weekend of 2026, creating a four-day mini-break that could push airports over their daily 300,000-passenger threshold.
DXB and AUH have already warned of record December volumes; the added holiday is likely to intensify outbound flows to short-haul leisure spots such as Georgia, Armenia and the Maldives. Airlines are monitoring load factors to decide whether to up-gauge aircraft or add ad-hoc services.
![Extra New-Year holiday to boost outbound traffic as UAE grants January 1 paid leave to private sector]()
For mobility planners the timing matters: early-January is popular for kick-off meetings and assignment hand-overs. Companies relying on 2 January start dates should confirm staff availability and factor in potential border-queue pressure when booking arrivals.
Public-sector entities with Sunday-to-Thursday workweeks face a seamless return, but expatriate-heavy private firms may see staggered attendance. HR departments should clarify attendance policies now to avoid last-minute leave requests and project delays.
DXB and AUH have already warned of record December volumes; the added holiday is likely to intensify outbound flows to short-haul leisure spots such as Georgia, Armenia and the Maldives. Airlines are monitoring load factors to decide whether to up-gauge aircraft or add ad-hoc services.
For mobility planners the timing matters: early-January is popular for kick-off meetings and assignment hand-overs. Companies relying on 2 January start dates should confirm staff availability and factor in potential border-queue pressure when booking arrivals.
Public-sector entities with Sunday-to-Thursday workweeks face a seamless return, but expatriate-heavy private firms may see staggered attendance. HR departments should clarify attendance policies now to avoid last-minute leave requests and project delays.
