Key facts
- Dubai International Airport's passenger traffic fell 31.3% in the first half of the year.
- Gatwick Airport's passenger numbers decreased by 4.7% in the first half of the year.
- The Middle East conflict has significantly disrupted travel and aviation operations.
- Dubai Airports reported 31.5 million passengers in the first six months of the year.
- Gatwick's pre-tax profit fell 18% to £137 million.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) experienced a significant 31.3% drop in passenger traffic during the first half of the year, totaling 31.5 million passengers. This decline is attributed to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which began on February 28 and has heavily disrupted air travel across the Gulf region. Aircraft movements also fell by 32.1% year-on-year.
While the conflict has impacted the aviation sector globally, with flight cancellations and rerouting, Middle Eastern carriers have gradually resumed operations. Emirates President Tim Clark stated the airline was flying at 90% capacity. However, major international carriers like Lufthansa, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines remain cautious, extending route suspensions in the region.
Despite these challenges, Dubai Airports highlighted the hub's resilience, noting the steady return of international carriers and strengthening load factors. The company had initially forecast nearly 100 million passengers for the year before the conflict began. Separately, Gatwick Airport in the UK reported a 4.7% decline in passenger numbers for the first half of the year, resulting in an 18% decrease in pre-tax profit to £137 million, also citing the Middle East conflict as a contributing factor.