Dubai International Airport (DXB) experienced a substantial 31.3% decrease in passenger traffic during the first half of 2026, processing a total of 31.5 million travelers. This significant downturn is directly linked to the ongoing Iran war, which has severely impacted air travel operations across the Gulf region.
Impact of Regional Conflict on Air Travel
The decline in passenger numbers followed the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28, when initial strikes by the US and Israel against Iran escalated. Tehran's subsequent retaliation, including attacks on US bases in West Asia and missile strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, led to widespread airspace closures across Gulf countries. These closures critically disrupted airline operations and passenger movement.
Signs of Recovery in Second Quarter
Despite the initial severe disruption, passenger traffic at DXB showed signs of recovery through the second quarter of the year as airlines gradually reinstated services. The airport handled 3.5 million passengers in April, which increased to 4.5 million in May, and further to 5 million in June, bringing the total for the second quarter to 13 million passengers.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, acknowledged the challenges. “The first half of the year tested every part of the aviation system, and demonstrated our resilience,” he stated. Griffiths also noted that as capacity steadily returns across the board, demand is responding immediately, a recovery particularly crucial for DXB given its significant share of international transfer traffic.
Operational Metrics and Cargo Volumes
Beyond passenger numbers, aircraft movements at DXB also fell by 32.1% in the first half, totaling 150,600, with 62,500 movements recorded in the second quarter. By the end of June, nearly 50 international airlines were serving DXB, connecting it to 217 destinations across 99 countries, with load factors beginning to approach 2025 levels.
Cargo volumes at the airport similarly saw a decline, dropping 28.7% to 751,340 tonnes in the first half of 2026, with 351,716 tonnes handled in the second quarter. Baggage traffic also decreased by 28% to 30.3 million bags over the six-month period. However, the airport maintained strong operational efficiency, reporting a mishandled baggage rate of 2.7 per 1,000 passengers, significantly below the global industry benchmark.
Efficient Passenger Processing Maintained
Despite the high-pressure environment, DXB maintained efficient passenger processing. Approximately 98.98% of departing passengers cleared passport control in under 10 minutes, while 98.95% of arriving passengers completed the process in under 15 minutes. Security checks were also swift, with 99.34% of passengers passing through in under five minutes.
Optimistic Outlook for Second Half
Dubai Airports anticipates a stronger second half of 2026. This optimism is based on expectations that airlines will continue to restore routes and increase frequencies, coupled with an anticipated rise in international transfer traffic as travel advisories ease in key markets. The upcoming winter schedule and Dubai's calendar of business, leisure, and sporting events are also expected to bolster demand.
To support this projected growth, DXB is continuing its work on enhancing passenger facilities, expanding self-service options, and integrating advanced biometric systems. These initiatives, alongside modifications to remote departures facilities and improvements in passenger flow and waiting areas, aim to reinforce Dubai's position as a leading global aviation hub.
“Strong performance across the airport community in recent months has left us well placed to accommodate returning demand, work closely with our airline partners, and reinforce Dubai's position as a leading global hub,” added Paul Griffiths.