Dubai International Airport witnessed a sharp decline in passenger traffic during the first half of 2026, with the number of travellers falling by 31.3% compared with the same period last year, as the US-Iran conflict disrupted air travel across the Gulf and created widespread uncertainty for airlines and passengers.
Dubai Airports, which operates the world’s busiest international aviation hub, said the airport handled around 31.5 million passengers between January and June, significantly lower than the 46 million recorded during the corresponding period a year earlier. Passenger traffic in the second quarter stood at about 13 million, reflecting the continuing impact of the regional conflict on international aviation.
The downturn was also reflected in aircraft movements at the airport. According to Dubai Airports, approximately 150,600 aircraft movements were recorded during the first six months of the year, representing a 32.1% decline from the previous year. The figures underline the scale of disruption faced by Dubai’s aviation sector after the conflict erupted on February 28.
The war has severely affected air connectivity throughout the Middle East, forcing airlines to cancel, suspend, reschedule or reroute flights. The disruption has not been limited to airports located directly in conflict zones. Airlines operating through the wider Gulf region have also faced operational challenges, while higher jet fuel prices triggered by the conflict have added further pressure on carriers around the world.
Dubai International Airport was among the major aviation hubs affected by the turmoil. At various stages of the conflict, flight operations were suspended or restricted as airlines and aviation authorities responded to security concerns. The disruption caused a significant interruption to international travel through a hub that normally serves as a key connecting point between Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Despite the steep decline in passenger numbers, Dubai Airports said the airport had demonstrated resilience and that aviation activity was gradually recovering. According to the operator, international airlines have begun restoring services, connectivity is improving and passenger load factors are strengthening across several major markets.
The gradual recovery has also been reflected in the operations of major Gulf carriers. Emirates President Tim Clark said last month that the airline was operating at around 90% of its capacity, indicating that airlines are progressively rebuilding their networks after the initial disruption caused by the conflict.
However, several international airlines continue to adopt a cautious approach towards the region. Major carriers, including Lufthansa, British Airways and Singapore Airlines, have retained or extended suspensions on some Middle Eastern routes, highlighting the continuing uncertainty surrounding regional aviation.
Before the outbreak of the war, Dubai Airports had projected that Dubai International Airport would handle nearly 100 million passengers during 2026. The sharp fall in traffic during the first half of the year has therefore created a major gap between the original expectations and the airport’s actual performance so far.
The airport operator, however, remains optimistic about the months ahead. It said improving international connectivity, the return of airlines and stronger load factors indicate resilient travel demand and growing confidence as DXB enters what is traditionally its busier second half of the year.
Dubai International Airport is a crucial part of the emirate’s tourism, business and international connectivity infrastructure. Any prolonged disruption to its operations has wider implications for the region’s aviation and travel industries. The first-half figures demonstrate how significantly geopolitical tensions can affect even the world’s largest and most connected aviation hubs.
With airlines gradually restoring routes and flight capacity returning, Dubai’s airport authorities are now looking towards a sustained recovery in the second half of the year. The pace of that recovery, however, is likely to depend heavily on the security situation in the Middle East and the ability of airlines to restore normal operations across the region.
