DXB restores flight rhythm after airspace strain

Dubai International is moving to rebuild flight momentum after weeks of regional airspace disruption forced airlines to redraw schedules, trim frequencies and manage passenger flows through one of the world’s most important long-haul transit corridors.

Dubai Airports said UAE airspace has now been fully restored, allowing DXB to increase daily flight movements in step with available regional routing capacity. The airport operator is working with airlines, service partners and control authorities to restore schedules gradually, while remaining constrained by some flight paths outside UAE territory.

The disruption began on February 28 and intensified through March, cutting across a corridor used heavily by international transfer traffic between Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Dubai’s airports remained operational through the period, handling 6 million passengers, more than 32,000 aircraft movements and 213,000 tonnes of cargo by April 30.

The pressure was visible in first-quarter traffic. DXB welcomed 18.6 million passengers in the first three months of 2026, down 20.6 per cent from a year earlier. March was the sharpest point of stress, with passenger traffic falling 65.7 per cent to 2.5 million as flight restrictions, rerouting and airline schedule adjustments took effect.

Cargo also reflected the impact. DXB handled 399,600 tonnes in the first quarter, down 22.7 per cent year on year, while March cargo volumes stood at 66,000 tonnes. Aircraft movements reached 88,000 during the quarter, a decline of 20.8 per cent from the same period last year.

Passenger handling remained a key test of resilience. DXB processed 17.6 million bags in the first quarter, including 2.6 million in March. The mishandled baggage rate rose to 3.5 per 1,000 passengers, compared with 1.95 per 1,000 passengers a year earlier, reflecting the strain created by schedule changes, disrupted connections and altered operating patterns.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, described the events as unprecedented for a major hub such as DXB. He said international transfer traffic through the Middle East accounts for a significant share of global air travel, with 22.4 million annual passenger journeys flowing through DXB and representing about one third of transfer traffic across regional hubs.

The airport’s recovery plan is being built around phased capacity restoration rather than an immediate return to full normality. Flight movements are being increased as airspace availability improves, while airlines are expected to bring back services progressively to avoid operational congestion and preserve service reliability.

Home-based carriers Emirates and flydubai remain central to the ramp-up. Their networks give DXB its strongest recovery lever because a large proportion of the airport’s traffic depends on tightly timed connections. Service partners, immigration authorities, baggage teams and ground handlers are being coordinated under the oneDXB operating model to stabilise passenger flows as schedules expand.

Before the disruption, DXB had entered 2026 from a position of record strength. The airport handled 95.2 million passengers in 2025, up 3.1 per cent year on year, marking its busiest year and the highest annual international passenger traffic recorded by any airport. It also ranked second globally for total passenger traffic, behind Atlanta, while retaining its position as the leading airport for international passengers.

Dubai Airports had expected traffic to approach 99.5 million passengers in 2026, putting DXB close to the 100 million mark. That outlook has become more dependent on the pace at which regional air routes normalise, but underlying demand remains strong across key markets.

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