Dubai International Airport recorded a significant decrease in its passenger numbers during the first half of 2026, with airport operators attributing the decline to ongoing regional military conflicts that have disrupted air travel. According to Dubai Airports, which manages both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International (DWC (DWC)), the first six months of 2026 represented a challenging period for aviation operations in the region.
From January to June 2026, Dubai International welcomed 31.5 million passengers, marking a 31.3% decline compared to the corresponding period in 2025. Flight movements at the airport also experienced a downturn, totaling 150,600 aircraft movements during the six-month period, which is a 32.1% reduction year-on-year. Furthermore, cargo volumes handled at the hub decreased by 28.7% year-on-year to 751,340 tons.
The operational decline followed the outbreak of a military conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28, 2026, which impacted the Middle East and Gulf regions. Iran launched missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles against regional targets, including Dubai. Consequently, multiple international airlines opted to bypass the airspace in the area to minimize risks.
Despite the challenging start to the year, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths emphasized that the situation has begun to stabilize. Griffiths stated that the first half of the year tested the entire aviation ecosystem, but demand has responded quickly as capacity returns. Passenger numbers showed a steady month-on-month increase throughout the second quarter, rising from 3.5 million in April 2026 to 4.5 million in May, and reaching 5 million in June.
Looking ahead, Dubai Airports expressed optimism for the remaining half of 2026. A spokesperson noted that momentum is expected to build due to the recovery of airline networks, an increase in international transit traffic, the winter flight schedule, and Dubai's schedule of business, leisure, and sporting events. In 2025, Dubai International handled a record-breaking 95.2 million guests, which was the highest annual international passenger volume recorded by any airport.
