Dubai Airports projects 70 million passengers this year as traffic recovers, CEO says

Dubai Airports anticipates passenger traffic to reach approximately 70 million passengers by the end of the year, according to CEO Paul Griffiths. This figure is a reduction from the previous objective, as the organization may now achieve its goal by the conclusion of 2027. The Iran conflict and the subsequent temporary suspension of Gulf airspace led to the organization discarding its initial prediction that Dubai International Airport (DXB) would handle nearly 100 million passengers this year.

DXB, a leading global international travel hub, welcomed 31.5 million passengers in the first half of 2026, compared to 46 million a year earlier. Griffiths revealed that capacity has now returned to 84% of pre-war levels, while passenger numbers are back to 78%. The resumption of European carriers' flights to the region, which halted due to the war, contributed to the new projection, he explained.

Griffiths expressed his confidence that "we’ll be pretty much back" by the end of the year. Dubai imposes foreign flights restrictions until May 31, impacting Indian airlines more significantly. The transfer and point-to-point markets are thriving, and Griffiths anticipates they will continue to do so. India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom remain the top destinations to and from Dubai, he noted, and business travel remains generally robust.

Advancements in smaller, longer-range aircraft could further bolster growth, according to Griffiths. The number of cities served directly from Dubai could rise from the current 240 by mid-2027. As a result of the conflict, there might be potential modifications to the new airport's design to enhance its resilience.