Dubai airport expects stronger second-half recovery after Iran war dampens Q2 growth

Dubai International Airport (DXB) anticipates enhanced second-half growth as travel demand rebounds following the impact of the Iran war on the first quarter. The airport processed 13 million passengers from April to June, a sharp contrast to 22.5 million travelers during the same period last year, due to heightened travel disruption caused by the conflict. This led to a 31.3 per cent drop in first-half passenger traffic to 31.5 million, from 39.5 million in 2025, amid airspace restrictions.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths highlighted that the airport weathered one of the toughest periods in its history, but capacity has been gradually returning, and demand is responding promptly. In the second quarter, airlines reinstated routes, and passenger numbers climbed from 3.5 million in April to 4.5 million in May and five million in June, despite the year-on-year decline in traffic.

Mr. Griffiths expressed optimism about travel demand in the second half of the year, citing strong performance across the airport community and close collaboration with airline partners to bolster Dubai's status as a leading global hub. Since the war erupted in February, DXB experienced multiple shutdowns due to drone attacks, as did Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, which sustained damage from debris falling from intercepted drones. Other affected airports include Bahrain and Kuwait.

Despite the challenges, the recovery of international carriers and strengthened connectivity suggest resilient demand, particularly ahead of DXB's typically busier winter season. Looking ahead, Dubai Airports predicts stronger momentum in the second half of the year, driven by restored airline networks and frequencies, increasing international transfer traffic, eased travel advisories across key source markets, and Dubai's diverse calendar of global events.

Emirates, which contributes significantly to DXB's traffic, is operating at 90 per cent capacity, with premium cabins filled to capacity, as reported by Emirates airline president Tim Clark at the Farnborough Airshow in July.