Dubai Passenger Traffic Plummets 97% Amidst Aviation Recovery
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
However, passenger numbers to Dubai plummeted by 97.47% due to an attempted hijacking incident involving Flydubai. Abu Dhabi saw a surge in traffic, but overall UAE travel decreased by over 50%. Meanwhile, air cargo to the UAE more than doubled, making it a major cargo hub.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dubai International Airport saw a 97.47% drop in passenger traffic in October 2026.
- Greece and Athens Airport remained the most popular international destination for Israeli travelers.
- Abu Dhabi's passenger traffic increased by 48.40%, partially offsetting Dubai's decline.
- Air cargo to the UAE more than doubled, increasing by 129.26% in October 2026.
- The decline in Dubai traffic is linked to an attempted hijacking on a Flydubai flight.
Europe and the United States remain the most popular destinations, with Greece leading the pack and Athens Airport being the busiest single destination. The US ranked second, while Italy experienced a significant 40.83% surge in travelers. Israeli airlines, particularly El Al, which carried over a third of all passengers, are driving this growth.
However, the United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai, experienced a dramatic downturn. Dubai International Airport saw a 97.47% drop in passenger traffic in October 2026, with numbers falling from 99,259 passengers in October 2025 to just 2,502 this year. This collapse led to the disappearance of Flydubai from the list of active airlines serving the route, following a nearly 25% cumulative annual decrease in its operations.
Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, emerged as a partial substitute, with passenger traffic increasing by 48.40% to 69,295. This rise is largely attributed to Etihad Airways' increased activity. Despite this shift, overall passenger traffic to the UAE decreased by 50.70%, from 146,000 last year to 72,000 this year.
The sharp decline in Dubai's passenger numbers is linked to an attempted hijacking incident on a Flydubai flight. Flydubai has suspended its operations to Israel pending the completion of the investigation, significantly impacting passenger movement.
Paradoxically, while passenger traffic to the UAE declined, air cargo transport experienced a boom. Dedicated cargo flights between Israel and the UAE surged by 129.26% in October, reaching 3,604 tons.
The October 2026 report paints a dynamic aviation market, with Israelis returning to European and US classics. The travel map to the Persian Gulf has been redrawn, with Dubai losing most of its passengers and Abu Dhabi becoming the primary air corridor to the East.
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