DUBAI – The ripple effects of US-Iran war are now being felt at one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, as Dubai International Airport records sharp one-third drop in passenger arrivals during the first half of 2026.
Airport authorities said 31.5 million passengers arrived at Dubai Airport in the first six months of this year, down sharply from 46 million recorded during the same period last year, a decline of around 32%.
The steep drop comes as escalating military tensions in the Middle East disrupted regional aviation and unsettled international travellers. Air routes across the region have faced significant disruption amid the US-Israeli war against Iran, while soaring fuel costs have added further pressure on the global aviation industry.
The conflict also pushed up airline operating costs, contributing to higher airfares worldwide and making international travel increasingly expensive for passengers.
According to global media reports, Iran repeatedly targeted Gulf countries during the conflict, with the attacks reportedly aimed at disrupting the global economy and increasing pressure on key US allies to persuade Washington to bring the war to an end.
Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, has consequently become a major indicator of the wider impact of the conflict on regional and international air travel.
UAE faced repeated missile and drone threats during Iran war, with authorities reporting that by early April their air-defence systems had intercepted 507 ballistic missiles, 24 cruise missiles and 2,191 drones.
There were reports of hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones being intercepted while UAE-operated ADNOC tankers were targeted by drones in the Strait of Hormuz.
