RIYADH: In the first quarter of 2026, 18.6 million passengers passed through Dubai International Airport, or DXB, while traffic in the major transit centers of the Middle East was hampered by regional airspace problems.
According to a statement from Dubai Airports, the number shows a 20.6 percent drop from a year ago, with March traffic being especially impacted at 2.5 million passengers, down 65.7 percent year over year. The decline reflects broader unrest in the aviation industry, as Middle Eastern hubs—which handle a sizable share of international transfer traffic—face considerable operational challenges.
The airport continued to operate in spite of the disruption, handling over 32,000 flights, 213,000 tonnes of cargo, and almost 6 million passengers between late February and April 30. The extraordinary events of the past few weeks are unprecedented for any major airport hub such as DXB,” stated Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
With 22.4 million passenger journeys passing through DXB annually, or one-third of transfer traffic across the region’s hubs, he pointed out that international transfer traffic through the Middle East contributes significantly to the global air travel market.
Griffiths stated, “Maintaining the smooth operation of DXB is therefore critical to keep global journeys moving.” The emphasis has been on maintaining operations safe and consistent for customers through close collaboration and quick decision-making.
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