Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport fell 30% in the second quarter from the first as the Iran war disrupted Gulf aviation, though volumes recovered sharply through the period as airlines gradually restored capacity. Dubai International, one of the world's busiest international aviation hubs, handled 13 million passengers in the second quarter, down from 18.5 million in the first. Traffic rose steadily during the quarter, reaching 5 million passengers in June, from 3.5 million in April—a 43% increase—while first-half traffic totaled 31.5 million, down 31.3% from a year earlier.

The war between Iran and the U.S. and its regional allies entered its sixth month in August after military activity beginning Feb. 28 restricted airspace across the Gulf and sent jet-fuel prices soaring, disrupting major carriers including Dubai's Emirates, Abu Dhabi's Etihad and Doha-based Qatar Airways. Iran's attacks on the United Arab Emirates have also tested Dubai's longstanding reputation as a haven for investment and tourism. Dubai Airports said traffic increased steadily through the second quarter as international carriers returned, connectivity improved and load factors strengthened. "As capacity steadily returns across the board, demand is responding immediately," Chief Executive Paul Griffiths said.

Aircraft movements totaled 150,600 during the first half, down 32.1% from a year earlier. By the end of June, nearly 50 international airlines were serving DXB, connecting Dubai with 217 destinations across 99 countries.