(DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) – Dubai International Airport posted a 66% decline in passenger numbers in March after the Iran war disrupted air traffic across the Middle East, dealing a sharp blow to the world’s busiest international hub.

The March collapse dragged down first-quarter traffic at Dubai International Airport to 2.5 million passengers, down 21% from the same period a year earlier.

Airport operations also faced several temporary shutdowns during the period after drone incidents in the vicinity interrupted activity. The United Arab Emirates later lifted travel restrictions, and the airport is scaling up operations.

March stood out as the month when the Iran war’s impact hit hardest. The disruption to regional air traffic cut deeply into passenger flows at an airport that depends on long-haul and connecting travel moving through the Gulf.

That pressure fed directly into the quarter’s weaker numbers. A traffic base of 2.5 million passengers for the first three months still left the airport below the previous year’s pace by 21%.

Operational instability added to the strain. Several temporary shutdowns tied to drone incidents forced the airport to manage interruptions while broader travel limits remained in place.

Those restrictions have now eased. The United Arab Emirates lifted travel restrictions on the country, and the airport has begun expanding activity again as it seeks to restore schedules and passenger volumes.

Traffic patterns across major markets still showed where demand remained concentrated. India was the largest market with 2.5 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UK and Pakistan.

Route data pointed to the same concentration in high-volume corridors. London ranked as the busiest destination city with 752,000 travelers, followed by Mumbai and Jeddah.

The figures underline how closely Dubai International Airport is tied to a handful of dense international markets even during periods of disruption. India led all country markets, and London remained the busiest city destination despite the March decline.

The airport is now positioning for increased operations as restrictions ease and traffic conditions stabilize. Management expects strong underlying demand in the coming months as flights return and travelers resume journeys delayed by the Iran war.

Recovery will depend on whether that demand converts into sustained passenger volumes after a month that produced a 66% decline at Dubai International Airport, a setback that rippled through the entire first quarter.