Iran war: Passenger arrivals at Dubai airport fall by a third

According to airport management, 31.5 million passengers arrived at Dubai airport in the first six months of 2026. The figure for the same period last year was 46 million.

According to Arab media, the United States and Israeli war on Iran has badly hit air travel in the Middle East. Rising fuel prices have also pushed up air fares around the world.

Arab media say Iran targeted Gulf countries several times during the war. The aim, they say, was to cause further disruption to the global economy and to increase pressure on key allies of the United States, so that they would talk to Washington about ending the war.