Dubai airport traffic plummets from 1,200 to around 20 daily flights amid Middle East conflict

Dubai International Airport (DXB), typically handling about 1,200 flights a day, has seen its operations shrink dramatically to around 20 flights daily as the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel triggers widespread airspace closures and flight suspensions, aviation sources and travellers report.

The drastic reduction in flights marks one of the most severe disruptions to commercial aviation in recent history, with the crisis forcing airlines to cancel or suspend regular services across the region.

Major carriers such as Emirates, flydubai and Etihad Airways have either halted or limited operations while prioritising safety and compliance with airspace advisories.

Dubai’s airports — including Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) — were effectively shut for 48 hours following Iranian retaliatory strikes that followed a joint US–Israeli military offensive inside Iran.

Only a restricted number of flights have begun resuming as of March 2, with authorities and airlines arranging limited departures mainly for passengers with prior bookings.

The pause in regular operations left thousands of passengers stranded in the UAE and across transit hubs, prompting emergency measures and repatriation flights to help travellers leave if they can. Governments and airlines have been coordinating to assist stranded passengers amid the unprecedented slowdown.

Aviation analysts say that Dubai’s sudden shift from a thriving global hub into a near-standstill echoing closures underscores the far-reaching impact of geopolitical crises on civil aviation.

Airline scheduling, crew logistics and global transit connections have all been disrupted, with ongoing uncertainty about when normal flight levels will return.

In addition to cancellations at DXB and DWC, the closures of other Gulf airspaces including those of Abu Dhabi and Doha have added pressure on global airline networks, forcing reroutes, extended ground time and logistical challenges for carriers operating long-haul and transit services.