Dubai International Airport ramps up capacity as airspace reopens, India remains top market

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is now scaling up operations following the full restoration of UAE airspace.

Since the disruption began on February 28, 2026, and intensified through March, DXB remained operational despite significant constraints, handling 6 million passengers, over 32,000 aircraft movements and 213,000 tonnes of cargo as of April 30, 2026.

Operations were managed under continuously evolving conditions, with schedules, passenger flows and ground handling aligned to available airspace. Coordinated decision-making across the airport ecosystem enabled continuity of safe and efficient services during the period.

With restrictions lifted, Dubai Airports has now entered a recovery phase, progressively increasing flight movements in line with regional routing capacity. Airlines are gradually restoring schedules, supported by ongoing coordination across neighbouring airspace.

Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Airports, said, “The extraordinary events of the past few weeks are unprecedented for any major airport hub such as DXB. International transfer traffic through the Middle East region accounts for a major share of the global air travel market, with 22.4 million annual passenger journeys flowing through DXB, representing one third of the transfer traffic across the region’s hubs.  Maintaining the smooth operation of DXB is therefore critical to keep global journeys moving. Our focus has been on keeping operations safe and consistent for our customers through close coordination and rapid decision-making across the entire airport community and beyond, while ensuring the system remains ready to respond swiftly as conditions improve.

“Our collective response to these challenges has sharpened our ability to adapt at pace. That readiness will enable us to accommodate returning demand as capacity is restored, reinforcing DXB’s role as a leading global hub, even as some regional routing constraints remain.”

Dubai’s role in global connectivity is closely linked to international transfer traffic. Of the 99.3 million passengers whose journeys could be routed through the Middle East, the region captures around 70 per cent, with DXB accounting for 32 per cent of that share. As regional conditions improve, this segment is expected to recover swiftly, supported by strong underlying demand.

DXB’s performance during the disruption reflects the resilience and adaptability of Dubai’s aviation ecosystem. The airport has remained focused on maintaining safe and stable operations while aligning capacity with prevailing conditions and supporting airlines and passengers through a period of continued adjustment.

Looking ahead, Dubai Airports expects growth to be driven by strong demand fundamentals. As airspace capacity continues to improve, DXB is actively increasing flight movements and working with airline and airspace partners to unlock additional capacity across its network. Long-term expansion at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is also progressing, supporting Dubai’s future growth as a global aviation hub.

DXB welcomed 18.6 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a 20.6 per cent decline year-on-year due to regional airspace disruptions that intensified through March. Passenger traffic in March stood at 2.5 million, down 65.7 per cent compared to the same period last year.

India remained DXB’s largest country market with 2.5 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia at 1.3 million, the United Kingdom at 1.2 million, and Pakistan at 918,000. London was the busiest city destination with 752,000 passengers, followed by Mumbai at 520,000 and Jeddah at 505,000.

Cargo volumes reached 399,600 tonnes during the quarter, marking a 22.7 per cent decline, with 66,000 tonnes handled in March. Aircraft movements totalled 88,000, down 20.8 per cent year-on-year.

DXB processed 17.6 million bags during Q1, including 2.6 million in March. The mishandled baggage rate stood at 3.5 per 1,000 passengers, compared to the global average of approximately 6.3, indicating continued operational efficiency despite the challenges.