Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Brittney Donovan

World’s busiest airport reports steep drop in traffic due to Iran war

  • Dubai International Airport , previously known as world’s busiest airport, experienced a sharp decline in passenger traffic during the second quarter as air travel disruptions caused by the Iran war prompted travelers to avoid Middle Eastern routes.
  • The airport recorded 13 million passengers in the second quarter and 31.5 million overall for the first half of the year, representing a 31.3 percent drop compared to the same period in 2025.
  • Regional air traffic was heavily disrupted by airspace shutdowns and flight restrictions following military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28, with the Dubai airport sustaining minor damage.
  • Total aircraft movements fell 32.1 percent year-over-year to 150,600 during the first half of the year, with second-quarter movements dropping to just 62,500 flights.
  • Airport CEO Paul Griffiths said that passenger volume showed a steady month-over-month increase throughout the second quarter and expressed confidence that the airport would return to full operation soon as European and other overseas airlines resume flights.

IN FULL

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.