Dubai Airport Traffic Plunges as Iran War Disrupts Gulf Aviation

Dubai Airports, one of the world's busiest aviation hubs, experienced a significant decline in passenger traffic during the second quarter of 2026, a direct result of the ongoing war with Iran. The conflict, which began on February 28, led to widespread airspace shutdowns and restrictions across the Gulf region, prompting many travelers to reroute away from the Middle East.

The airport recorded 13 million passengers in the second quarter alone. Overall, first-half traffic fell by 31.3% compared to the same period last year, with a total of 31.5 million passengers. Aircraft movements also saw a steep decline, totaling 150,600 in the first half, down 32.1% year-on-year.

Despite these challenges, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, expressed confidence in a swift recovery. He noted that the disruption lasted two months, but the trajectory is now positive. Emirates and FlyDubai, the two home-based carriers, have seen their capacity recover to the 90th percentile, with customer demand following closely behind.

"We're just waiting for the overseas airlines, particularly from Europe, to restart operations," Griffiths said. "I'm very confident we'll be back to full operation in a very short space of time. Q3 and Q4 will be very strong for us."

Griffiths also highlighted the resilience of the Gulf's aviation network, which handles close to 100 million people annually. Dubai Airports commands 45% of that market, with a roughly 50-50 split between transit passengers and those visiting or living in Dubai. He emphasized that the airport remains undeterred as a force for global aviation.

Investment in future infrastructure continues unabated. Griffiths revealed that 10 million work hours have been invested in the new Al Maktoum International (DWC) over the past 15 months, with 17,000 piles driven into the ground and 45 million cubic meters of earth moved. This, he said, underscores a long-term commitment to international aviation.