An Emirates airplane at Dubai International Airport, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 7, 2026. Photo by Reuters
Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest international airport last year, handled 18.6 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, down from 23.4 million a year earlier, the Dubai media office said on Monday.
Dubai Airports’ operations and flights are being ramped up now that United Arab Emirates airspace is fully clear, with capacity increasing in line with available routing, CEO Paul Griffiths said on Monday.
UAE’s aviation authority said on Saturday that air traffic had returned to normal after precautionary measures introduced on Feb. 28, at the start of the Iran war, were lifted.
Despite disruption from the conflict, Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports have handled more than six million passengers, over 32,000 aircraft movements, and more than 213,000 metric tons of cargo, with travel demand through Dubai remaining strong, Griffiths said in a LinkedIn post.
“Demand for travel through Dubai remains strong, and DXB is well positioned to progressively increase capacity and support airlines and guests through a period of continued adjustment,” Griffiths added.
Before the war broke out and Gulf airspace closures disrupted traffic for nearly two months, DXB was expected to handle close to 100 million passengers this year, its operator said on Feb. 11.
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