Dubai airport traffic plunged 31% as the Iran war sent travelers looking for routes outside the Middle East

Dubai International Airport witnessed a significant decline in passenger traffic during the second quarter of 2025, falling by 31.3% compared to the first half of the year, according to a report. The airport handled 13 million passengers during the second quarter, down from 31.5 million in the first half. This drop was attributed to the Iran war, which led to disruptions in air travel and prompted many travelers to avoid Middle Eastern routes.

The airport itself suffered minor damage from the conflict, with aircraft movements dropping to 62,500 in the second quarter, a 32.1% decrease year-on-year. Despite the disruption, the airport's CEO, Paul Griffiths, expressed confidence in a swift recovery. He noted a steady increase in passenger volume each month in the second quarter, indicating a positive trend.

However, the airport is eagerly awaiting the restart of overseas airlines, especially from Europe, to fully resume operations. Griffiths remains optimistic, predicting that the airport will be back to full capacity in a short period.