Dubai airport reports sharp drop in second quarter traffic due to Iran war’s effects

Dubai International Airport, a major global transportation hub, experienced a significant decline in passenger traffic during the second quarter of 2025, according to an Associated Press report. The airport recorded 13 million passengers, marking a 31.3% decrease from the 31.5 million passengers handled in the first half of the year. This sharp drop can be attributed to the Iran war, which disrupted air travel and led many travelers to choose alternative routes that avoided the Middle East.

The decline in air traffic was felt not only in Dubai but also in the United Arab Emirates and the broader Gulf region, where shutdowns and restrictions followed the United States and Israel's attacks on Iran on February 28. The airport itself suffered minor damage from Iranian attacks. Aircraft movements at Dubai International Airport totaled 150,600 in the first half of the year, a 32.1% decrease from the previous year, with only 62,500 movements in the second quarter.

Despite the initial disruption, Dubai International Airport's CEO, Paul Griffiths, expressed optimism about the future. He noted that there has been a steady increase in passenger volume each month in the second quarter, and the momentum is expected to continue. Griffiths attributed the initial decline to the two-month disruption caused by the Iran war, but remains confident that the airport will swiftly return to full operation.

He is particularly hopeful for the resumption of overseas airlines, especially from European destinations.