Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths revealed on 22 July 2026 that only about 50 airlines—half the pre-war tally—are currently flying to Dubai after months of US-Iran hostilities. Speaking on the sidelines of the Farnborough Airshow, Griffiths said missile impacts had damaged airport infrastructure 16 times, triggering 111 missile-alert evacuations, although repairs were completed swiftly and operations continue at “full capacity.” Flag-carrier Emirates has filled much of the capacity gap, running close to 90 % of its normal schedule and adding extra frequencies where foreign carriers have suspended service. British Airways, Air Canada and Singapore Airlines are among those postponing Dubai resumptions, citing insurance-cost spikes and government travel advisories. Despite the attrition, DXB and DWC handled more than six million passenger movements since fighting began on 28 February. Griffiths expressed confidence that airlines will “come back very strongly” once insurers downgrade the risk rating, but conceded that the loss of connectivity complicates itineraries for global corporates. Corporate mobility teams should review travel-policy exceptions covering indirect routings and higher fares, and ensure employees enroll in travel-tracking apps that push real-time security alerts. Companies reliant on belly-hold freight capacity may need to shift urgent shipments onto all-cargo carriers or re-route via Muscat and Jeddah until schedules normalise. In parallel, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism is working with Emirates and hotels to incentivise group travel—for example, through the "A Dubai Invite" referral scheme launched 20 July—to cushion the impact on MICE bookings.
Source: The National
