DUBAI — Monthly passenger traffic showed improvement as the half progressed. Traffic rose from 3.5 million in April 2026 to 4.5 million in May 2026 and reached 5 million in June 2026.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths stated that overall traffic at Dubai International Airport is back to about 80% of 2025 levels. He noted that Emirates and flydubai are operating at roughly 90% of their 2025 levels.

Griffiths expressed confidence in a full recovery by the end of the year. "My confidence level is not misplaced that we should be back to 100% of our operation by about the end of the year," he said.

Dubai Airports expects full-year 2026 traffic to finish in the 70 millions. Griffiths stated that resumed services into Dubai are returning with load factors in the 80% to 90% range.

The airport faced operational challenges during the regional conflict. He stated that DXB received roughly 111 separate alerts of ballistic activity during the Iran war crisis.

During these alerts, Dubai Airports moved passengers to safe areas. The operator utilized a "splash and dash" contingency where planes departed Dubai International Airport, landed at Al Maktoum International Airport to refuel, and then continued their journeys.

Several major international carriers have suspended or reduced services due to regional security concerns. British Airways has suspended flights to Dubai until the end of October 2026. Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines have suspended flights to Dubai until late October 2026.

Cathay Pacific and Air Canada continue to suspend or reduce services to Dubai due to ongoing regional security concerns. Gulf carriers previously accounted for roughly one-third of traffic between Europe and Asia and about half of travel between Europe and Australia.

Dubai Airports has implemented infrastructure upgrades including expanded self-service, biometric systems, smarter operational technology, and passenger-flow improvements. He stated that Dubai Airports is in discussions with major international carriers that have not previously operated at DXB, as well as airlines considering Dubai World Central (DWC).

Griffiths stated that the Dubai Airports chairman confirmed the war did not change the emirate’s aviation plans. The expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport is valued at $35 billion and remains on track to begin operations in 2032.

Why It Matters

The suspension of major carriers impacts the region's role as a global connector, given that Gulf carriers previously facilitated a large share of traffic between Europe, Asia, and Australia. The continued development of Al Maktoum International Airport, located 40 kilometers southwest of Dubai’s city center, signals long-term strategic planning despite short-term disruptions.

Timeline

Dubai International Airport ended 2025 as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers. Dubai International Airport recorded 95.2 million passengers in 2025. Dubai International Airport handled 8.7 million passengers in January 2026. Middle Eastern transfer traffic on Asia-Western Europe routes fell 47% year over year by April 2026, according to Alton Aviation Consultancy.

In the first six months of 2026, Dubai International Airport handled 31.5 million passengers, a decrease of 31.3% from the same period in 2025. Monthly passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport rose from 3.5 million in April 2026 to 4.5 million in May 2026 and 5 million in June 2026. Aircraft movements at Dubai International Airport fell 32.1% to 150,600 in the first six months of 2026. Cargo volumes at Dubai International Airport dropped 28.7% to 751,340 tons in the first six months of 2026.

What's New

Dubai International Airport recorded 31.5 million passengers during the first half of 2026, a 31.3% drop compared with the same period in 2025. This figure comes from later reporting on the semi-annual performance of the hub.

The Al Maktoum International Airport expansion project will include a 50km driverless underground rail network serving nine stations, led by a consortium headed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Al Maktoum International Airport is airport in Dubai, UAE. Dubai International Airport is an international airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Cathay Pacific and Air Canada continue to suspend or reduce services to Dubai during ongoing regional security concerns.

How Sources Differ

Sources provide different details regarding the Maktoum International Airport expansion project. He stated that 10 million work hours have been logged on the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion project over the past 15 months.

Sources also differ on specifics of the Maktoum International Airport expansion. He stated that 17,000 concrete piles have been installed and 45 million cubic meters of earth have been moved for the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion.

Descriptions of Maktoum International Airport vary by source. Dubai Airports facility information states that Al Maktoum International Airport is located 40 kilometers southwest of Dubai’s city center. Doi.org describes Al Maktoum International Airport as an airport in Dubai, UAE.

Details regarding the Maktoum International Airport expansion also show variation.