Passenger traffic at the Dubai International Airport fell sharply in March, plunging by about two-thirds following regional security disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, according to the Dubai Media Office.
The airport recorded around 2.5 million passengers in March, representing a 66 percent decline compared to the same period last year. Authorities attributed the drop to widespread airspace restrictions and flight schedule disruptions during a period of heightened tensions in the Gulf region.
The statement explained that the airport experienced “a period of regional disruption that significantly constrained airspace capacity and flight schedules,” but added that operations are now being restored.
“With airspace within the UAE now fully restored, Dubai Airports is moving decisively to scale up operations,” the statement said.
Dubai International Airport, traditionally the world’s busiest hub for international passenger traffic, had been expecting nearly 100 million passengers in 2026 after handling a record 95.2 million in the previous year. However, first-quarter figures show a 21 percent year-on-year decline to 18.6 million passengers.
The disruptions were reportedly linked to escalating regional tensions, including attacks involving drones during the conflict, which impacted flight safety and routing capacity across the region.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths described the situation as unprecedented for a global aviation hub, noting that recovery efforts are now focused on restoring full operational capacity and stabilising passenger flow.
Despite the setback, authorities say the airport is gradually scaling up operations in line with improved regional airspace conditions and expected demand recovery.
