Dubai International Airport, a major global air travel hub, reported a significant decline in passenger traffic during the second quarter, with numbers dropping by 31.3% compared to the first half of 2025. The airport recorded 13 million passengers in the second quarter, contributing to 31.5 million for the first half of the year.
This downturn in air traffic, which also affected the wider Gulf region, is linked to the conflict with Iran. The United States and Israel initiated attacks on Iran on February 28, leading to flight disruptions, route cancellations, and a general avoidance of the Middle East by many travelers. Dubai International Airport itself sustained minor damage from Iranian attacks.
Aircraft movements mirrored the passenger decline, falling 32.1% year-on-year to 150,600 in the first half, with only 62,500 movements in the second quarter.
Despite the sharp decrease, Dubai International Airport CEO Paul Griffiths expressed optimism, noting a consistent month-over-month increase in passenger volume throughout the second quarter. He stated that the "trajectory now is universally positive" and that the airport is awaiting the resumption of operations by overseas airlines, particularly from Europe. Griffiths anticipates a return to full operational capacity in the near future.