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

World’s busiest airport reports steep drop in traffic due to Iran war Brittney Donovan Wednesday 26 August 2026 13:32 BST Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Fire and smoke seen near Dubai airport after drone attack 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 Dubai airport reports sharp drop in second quarter traffic due to Iran war's effects