Emirates: Dubai Airports expects a "surge" in passenger traffic over the coming weeks and months, its chief executive said on Wednesday, after the UAE announced an easing of travel restrictions from African and Asian countries, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh among others.

The Gulf state, a major international travel hub, on Tuesday said it would scrap on August 5 a transit flight ban which Emirates airline later said applied to passengers travelling from 12 countries.

The UAE will also lift this week an entry ban on those who had visited India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria or Uganda over the past 14 days for those with valid residencies and who are certified by UAE authorities as fully vaccinated.

Dubai Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths said Dubai International was "ready to accommodate the anticipated surge in the coming weeks and months" once restrictions ease.

The Indian subcontinent is traditionally the largest source market for Dubai International, which is one of the world's busiest airports and the hub for Dubai-based carrier Emirates.

Griffiths said the easing of entry restrictions on inbound travellers from South Asia as well as Nigeria and Uganda would allow for thousands of UAE residents to return.

"It's a great development from both a social and economic standpoint," he said.

Those travelling to the UAE or transiting through its airports need to meet various conditions including presenting a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coronavirus test prior to departure.

Dubai International Airport is targeting 8 per cent growth in passenger traffic this year to 28 million.