Dubai Airport Traffic Plunges 31% Amid Iran War Fallout

Dubai International Airport's passenger traffic collapsed 31% in the first half of 2026, dropping to 31.5 million from 46 million a year earlier, Reuters reports. The plunge came as the Iran war triggered widespread flight cancellations, airport closures and airspace restrictions across the Gulf region, exposing how quickly regional instability can cripple even the busiest travel hubs. March was the worst month, with traffic down 65% year-over-year, and only about 50 of the usual 90 international carriers remained operational by midyear. The disruption derailed Dubai's ambitions of reaching 100 million annual passengers after hitting a record 95.2 million in 2025. The figures underscore the steep economic cost the Iran conflict has imposed on Gulf states dependent on open airspace and tourism.