Dubai airport expects stronger second-half recovery after Iran war dampens Q2 growth
Dubai International Airport (DXB) expects "stronger momentum" in the second half of the year as airlines restore their route networks and transit traffic recovers, after the Iran war dented travel demand at the hub in the second quarter. The airport handled 13 million passengers in the April to June period, down from 22.5 million travellers in the same time last year, as the US-Iran war sparked…
Dubai International Airport (DXB) anticipates a stronger recovery in the second half of the year following the Iran war's impact on travel demand in the second quarter. The airport saw 13 million passengers in April to June, a significant drop from 22.5 million in the same period last year due to the US-Iran conflict causing disruptions in the Middle East.
This decline led to a 31.3 percent decrease in first-half passenger traffic to 31.5 million, with challenges arising from airspace restrictions. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths highlighted the resilience of the aviation system and the immediate response of demand as capacity returned. Airline capacity increased, and passenger volumes rose from 3.5 million in April to 5 million in June.
Despite the year-on-year decline, DXB remains well-positioned to accommodate returning demand and strengthen its status as a leading global hub. Since February, the airport has been closed several times due to drone attacks, affecting Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport and others in Bahrain and Kuwait. The return of international carriers and improved connectivity signal resilient demand as DXB prepares for the traditionally busier winter season.
Emirates, which contributes significantly to DXB's traffic, operates at 90 percent capacity, with premium cabins full, according to Emirates airline president Tim Clark.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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