After several months of restrictions and a drop in passenger traffic of more than 65%, Dubai is beginning to resume air service. Airports are gradually resuming flights, but the situation in the region remains unstable. Learn more about how operations are changing at one of the world’s largest aviation hubs

After several months of severe disruptions to air travel, Dubai is beginning to gradually resume operations at its key airports. Following the escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel in late February, airspace over parts of the Middle East was partially closed, leading to a sharp drop in passenger traffic and widespread flight delays. In March, Dubai International Airport (DXB) served only 2.5 million passengers—a 65.7% decrease compared to the same period last year.

The situation is now gradually stabilizing: following the full reopening of airspace over the UAE, Dubai’s airports have begun scaling up operations and increasing the number of flights. At the same time, some route restrictions in the region remain in place, which is affecting the pace of recovery to pre-crisis levels.

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What happened to air traffic in Dubai?

Following the military escalation in late February, the Middle East’s aviation system faced severe restrictions. Airspace over key transit countries was partially closed due to the threat of missile and drone attacks, which immediately impacted international travel.

Dubai—one of the world’s major transit hubs—was hit the hardest. By March, traffic at Dubai International Airport (DXB) had plummeted: the airport served only 2.5 million passengers, a 65.7% decrease from the previous year. By comparison, during stable periods, this figure exceeds 7 million passengers per month.

The situation was further complicated by massive disruptions in logistics:

- Tens of thousands of travelers were stranded in the region in early March

- Airlines massively canceled or rerouted flights

- Some routes became inaccessible due to airspace closures

Additional pressure was created by recommendations from governments, particularly the U.S., to refrain from traveling to the region. This further reduced demand for flights even after the partial reopening of the airspace.

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How is Dubai restoring air service?

After the situation stabilized and airspace over the UAE fully reopened, Dubai’s aviation industry began gradually resuming operations. Airport operators announced a phased return of flights and an increase in capacity in line with available routes in the region.

The operating company, Dubai Airports, confirmed that flights are already scaling up: airlines are restoring their schedules, and the number of flights is increasing as transit corridors are reopened. At the same time, the process is not happening instantly—some destinations remain restricted due to the unstable security situation.

The company’s CEO, Paul Griffiths, noted that airports are working to meet the growing demand, which began to recover immediately after the skies reopened. This indicates that demand for flights to Dubai remains high even after the crisis.

In practice, the recovery looks like this:

- Airlines are gradually reinstating canceled flights

- The number of transit flights through DXB is increasing

- International routes are being restored, but not all at once

- Schedules remain flexible due to the situation in the region

Despite the positive momentum, the industry is still operating under restrictions. That is why a full return to pre-crisis levels may take several months.

In our previous article, we reported that European airlines are canceling flights en masse due to a fuel shortage.

What does this mean for travelers?

Despite the resumption of air service, travel to and through Dubai remains less predictable than before. The situation is stabilizing, but the region’s aviation system has not yet returned to full operation.

The first thing to keep in mind is the flexibility of schedules. Even after the reopening of airspace, some routes operate with restrictions, so airlines continue to adjust flights depending on the situation in the region.

Key points to consider before traveling:

- Possible flight delays or rescheduling even a few days before departure

- Longer travel times due to detours around closed or dangerous areas

- Fewer available flights on certain routes

- Heightened security measures at airports

It’s also worth noting that during the peak disruptions in March, tens of thousands of passengers were stranded in the region. This shows how quickly the situation can change even after flights have partially resumed.

At the same time, demand for travel to Dubai is gradually returning, and expats and tourists are once again beginning to plan trips. This means that the number of flights will increase in the coming months, but the stability of schedules will depend directly on the security situation in the Middle East.

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We remind you! Popular European tourist destinations are becoming increasingly crowded, so travelers are looking for alternatives without the crowds. In 2026, attention is turning to countries that remain off the beaten path but offer unique experiences, affordable prices, and an authentic atmosphere. Read more about 5 European countries that are rarely visited by tourists.

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