Dubai airport traffic dropped sharply in Q2 due to Iran war’s effects

Dubai International Airport, a major global hub, experienced a significant decline in passenger traffic in the second quarter of 2025 due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The airport recorded 13 million passengers during Q2, a 31.3% decrease compared to the 31.5 million passengers of the first half of the year. This drop was primarily attributed to disruptions in air travel caused by the United States and Israel's attacks on Iran on February 28, which led to shutdowns and restrictions across the Gulf region.

The airport itself also suffered minor damage from Iranian attacks. Air traffic within the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region plummeted, with only 62,500 aircraft movements in the second quarter, a 32.1% decrease from the first half. Despite the initial shock, Dubai Airport CEO Paul Griffiths reported a steady increase in passenger numbers each month in Q2, and he remains optimistic about the airport's future.

Griffiths is confident that the airport will return to full operation soon, particularly as overseas airlines, especially from Europe, resume services.