Dubai Airport passenger numbers fell a third amid Iran conflict disruption

Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled 31.5 million passengers between January and June, a 31.3% decline compared with the same period last year, Dubai Airports said. The company operates both DXB and Al Maktoum International.

The operator attributed the drop to a military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran that began in late February and disrupted air travel across the Middle East and Gulf region. Missile and drone activity attributed to Iran led many carriers to avoid the airspace over the area, including routes into Dubai.

Aircraft movements at DXB fell 32.1% year on year to 150,600 during the first half. Cargo volumes dropped 28.7% to 751,340 tons, Dubai Airports said.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, said the period had tested the aviation system but demonstrated its resilience. Capacity is steadily returning, he said, and demand is responding quickly. He noted that international transfer traffic makes up a large share of DXB's business.

Passenger volumes rose progressively through the second quarter, according to the figures released, climbing from 3.5 million in April to 4.5 million in May and five million in June. Dubai Airports said it expects stronger momentum in the second half of the year as airline networks and flight frequencies continue to recover.

The airport operator framed the figures as evidence of a market working its way back from a sharp shock rather than a lasting structural decline. It did not, however, provide a specific timeline for a full return to pre-conflict passenger levels.