Dubai Airport Welcomes 31.5 Million Passengers in H1, Anticipates Stronger Second Half
Dubai Airports said it expects traffic to increase in the second half of the year as airline networks and frequencies continue to recover.
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Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half of 2026, down 31.3% from the same period last year as regional airspace restrictions affected airline operations.
Despite the decline, passenger traffic increased steadily during the second quarter, with DXB handling 13 million passengers. Monthly traffic rose from 3.5 million in April to 4.5 million in May and 5 million in June as airline capacity and international connectivity recovered.
Aircraft movements totaled 150,600 during the first half, down 32.1% year on year. Of those, 62,500 movements were recorded during the second quarter.
Meanwhile, cargo volumes reached 751,340 tonnes in the first six months, down 28.7% from the previous year, including 351,716 tonnes handled during the second quarter.
By the end of June, nearly 50 international airlines were operating at DXB, connecting the airport to 217 destinations across 99 countries. Dubai Airports said load factors were approaching 2025 levels as international connectivity expanded.
The airport processed 30.3 million bags during the period, down 28% year on year. Its mishandled baggage rate stood at 2.7 per 1,000 passengers, compared with a global industry benchmark of about 4.9 per 1,000.
Dubai Airports said it expects traffic to increase in the second half of the year as airline networks and frequencies continue to recover.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half of 2026, down 31.3% from the same period last year as regional airspace restrictions affected airline operations.
Despite the decline, passenger traffic increased steadily during the second quarter, with DXB handling 13 million passengers. Monthly traffic rose from 3.5 million in April to 4.5 million in May and 5 million in June as airline capacity and international connectivity recovered.
Aircraft movements totaled 150,600 during the first half, down 32.1% year on year. Of those, 62,500 movements were recorded during the second quarter.
Meanwhile, cargo volumes reached 751,340 tonnes in the first six months, down 28.7% from the previous year, including 351,716 tonnes handled during the second quarter.
By the end of June, nearly 50 international airlines were operating at DXB, connecting the airport to 217 destinations across 99 countries. Dubai Airports said load factors were approaching 2025 levels as international connectivity expanded.
The airport processed 30.3 million bags during the period, down 28% year on year. Its mishandled baggage rate stood at 2.7 per 1,000 passengers, compared with a global industry benchmark of about 4.9 per 1,000.
Dubai Airports said it expects traffic to increase in the second half of the year as airline networks and frequencies continue to recover.
