Dubai International Airport records 31.5 million passengers in H1 2026

Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 31.5 million passengers during the first half of 2026. While this represents a 31.3 percent decline compared to the same period in 2025—largely due to regional airspace constraints and security disruptions—the airport saw a steady monthly recovery throughout the second quarter. Passenger volumes rose from 3.5 million in April to 5 million in June.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, noted that the first half of the year tested the aviation system's resilience, but increasing airline capacity and demand signal a strong outlook for the second half of the year. DXB continues to serve 217 destinations across 99 countries via approximately 50 international airlines.

In Sharjah, passenger traffic also showed significant activity, with Sharjah International Airport handling over 390,000 passengers during the peak summer week of August 10–16. The airport reported 175,000 arrivals and 151,000 departures during this period, serving more than 100 international destinations as part of its role as a regional hub.