Dubai International Airport Sees 66% Passenger Drop in March Amid Regional Conflict

Dubai International Airport witnessed a significant 66% passenger drop in March, primarily due to regional conflict disruptions. This impacted first-quarter traffic, down 21%. Despite these challenges, the airport is gearing up for increased operations as travel restrictions ease, with strong underlying demand anticipated. India, Saudi Arabia, and the UK were key markets, while London led as a destination.

Dubai International Airport reported a sharp fall in passenger traffic in March, with numbers dropping 66% due to disruptions caused by the war in Iran, according to a Bloomberg report. The decline also pulled down first-quarter traffic to 2.5 million passengers, marking a 21% decrease compared to the same period last year.

The airport, which is the world's busiest international hub, faced repeated shutdowns following drone incidents in nearby areas during the conflict. These disruptions affected flight operations across the Middle East and reduced travel volumes significantly during the month.

Despite the decline, Dubai's main airport is preparing to increase operations after the United Arab Emirates lifted travel restrictions. The company did not provide a full-year forecast but said demand for travel remains strong. Chief Executive Officer Paul Griffiths said, "The experience gained by recent challenges will enable us to accommodate returning demand as capacity is restored, reinforcing DXB's role as a leading global hub."

India remained the largest source market for the airport, accounting for 2.5 million passengers. Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Pakistan followed, according to the Bloomberg report. Among destinations, London recorded the highest traffic with 752,000 passengers, followed by Mumbai and Jeddah.

At the same time, development work at Dubai World Central airport is continuing, as the emirate plans to expand its aviation capacity.