Dubai Airport Traffic Plunges 66% During Conflict; Rapid Recovery Gains Pace

04/05/2026

Dubai Airport Traffic Plunges 66% During Conflict; Rapid Recovery Gains Pace

An Emirates jetliner comes in for landing at the Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec 11, 2019. (AP)

DUBAI, May 4: Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport dropped sharply in March, falling by 66 percent year-on-year as regional conflict disrupted travel across the Middle East, according to a statement from the Dubai Media Office.

The airport—one of the world’s busiest for international passengers—handled just 2.5 million travelers during the month, a steep decline attributed to heightened tensions following attacks linked to Iran and precautionary airspace restrictions.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates had partially closed national airspace on February 28 to safeguard flights, crews, and infrastructure during the broader US-Israel-Iran conflict. All restrictions were lifted on May 2, allowing aviation activity to resume gradually.

In response, Dubai Airports said it is now “moving decisively” to scale up operations, increasing flight movements in line with available regional air routes. The recovery phase includes restoring airline schedules and boosting daily capacity as coordination in neighboring airspace improves.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths noted that international transfer traffic remains a key strength, with the Middle East accounting for a significant share of global transit travel. He added that demand is expected to rebound quickly, as alternative hubs have limited capacity to absorb displaced passengers.

Officials said efforts are ongoing to expand flight capacity in the coming months, supported by long-term development plans at Al Maktoum International Airport, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a major global aviation hub.