Dubai International Airport (DXB) lost a third of its passengers in the first six months of the year as the conflict in Iran crippled air travel in the region.
On August 26, 2026, Dubai Airports, which operates both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International (DWC), said the first half of 2026 had been a challenging time for the company.
From January to June 2026, Dubai International welcomed 31.5 million passengers, a 31.3% drop compared with the same period in 2025.
Aircraft movements totaled 150,600 during the first half, down 32.1% year on year while cargo volumes reached 751,340 tons during the first half, down 28.7% year on year.
The military conflict between the US and Israel and Iran began on February 28, 2026, throwing the Middle East and Gulf region into turmoil.
Iran launched missiles and drones against countries in the region, including Dubai, resulting in many airlines avoiding the area due to the danger.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, was keen to stress that the situation is improving with passengers returning as confidence grows.
“The first half of the year tested every part of the aviation system and demonstrated our resilience,” Griffiths said. “As capacity steadily returns across the board, demand is responding immediately. That is particularly important for DXB, where international transfers account for a significant share of traffic. 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.”
Passenger volumes increased throughout the second quarter, rising from 3.5 million in April 2026 to 4.5 million in May 2026 and five million in June 2026.
“Looking ahead, Dubai Airports anticipates stronger momentum in the second half of the year, supported by the ongoing recovery of airline networks and frequencies, rising international transfer traffic, easing travel advisories across key source markets, the winter schedule and Dubai’s full calendar of global business, leisure and sporting events,” a spokesperson for Dubai Airports said.
In 2025, Dubai International welcomed a record 95.2 million guests, marking the busiest year in its history and the highest annual international traffic ever recorded by any airport.