DXB is currently handling 40–45% of its usual traffic, Paul Griffiths told CNN.
Dubai: Dubai Airports has managed the travel of over one million passengers in the past 17 days, despite airspace closures and regional tensions affecting operations, CEO Paul Griffiths told CNN’s Becky Anderson.
Griffiths noted that Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled more than one million passengers during this period, even amid temporary airspace restrictions and operational challenges.
“We facilitated the journeys of over a million passengers over the last 17 days, and the recovery rate is significant. We’re back up to about 40–45 percent of normal traffic movements,” he said.
Since the conflict began, UAE aviation authorities have periodically closed airspace based on threat assessments.
The airspace was reopened whenever it was deemed safe, and the UAE established designated flight corridors to allow aircraft to operate securely.
UAE-based airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia, adjusted schedules, suspended certain routes, and gradually resumed services as conditions stabilized. Several international carriers also temporarily halted operations, primarily due to insurance limitations.
How is it being managed?
The UAE’s airspace was opened or closed based on threat levels, with flights routed through designated corridors approved by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
“We’ve closed airspace, we’ve opened it as the threat level has changed, and we’ve been able to keep aircraft in the air, routing them through corridors properly designated by the GCAA,” Griffiths said.
At the airport, managing passenger flow and maintaining clear communication were crucial during these disruptions. DXB typically handles around 320,000 passengers daily.
“When that supply chain gets interrupted, it’s incredibly important that we keep people informed,” he said, adding that passengers were advised to come to the airport only when necessary to help maintain order.
“The airport has remained calm and composed,” Griffiths noted, emphasizing that customer feedback indicates operations have been managed “reasonably” well.
Coordination with other hubs
Dubai Airports collaborated closely with other regional hubs to optimise the use of the limited airspace capacity.
“We’ve worked closely with all the other airports in the region to ensure flights are carefully scheduled and planned in advance,” he said.
Griffiths emphasized that recovery relies on strong coordination across the aviation system, involving airlines, air traffic control, and government authorities.
“The liaison we’ve had with air traffic controllers, government organisations, and airlines has been incredible,” he added.
Not without challenges
Griffiths told CNN that the aviation system relies on a complex, highly coordinated supply chain, spanning from departures overseas to arrivals in Dubai.
“The number of steps in that journey, and the number of people and organisations involved, is quite incredible,” he said, adding that there is a duty of care to keep the system running “as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
Regarding airline disruptions, Griffiths noted that insurance remains a major issue, with some international carriers suspending services.
“I think most of the problem has been insurance,” he said, adding that if foreign governments support airlines by underwriting operations to the UAE, “we’ll do everything we can to facilitate those.”
He noted that some airlines are already receiving such support and clarified that no carrier is being given priority.
“We’re not turning anyone away that wants to operate,” he said, adding that the limited airspace requires close coordination to minimise delays.
Safety incidents
Regarding safety incidents near airport infrastructure, Griffiths said that rapid response systems have been effective.
“The first priority, obviously, is safety and security,” he said. Griffiths added that clear communication helped move people to safety quickly, while civil defence teams responded “within minutes” to contain the situations.
He noted that normal operations resumed shortly after each incident.
100% recovery
Griffiths emphasized the global significance of the Middle East’s aviation hubs, noting that “one third of the world’s population is within four hours’ flying time of Dubai, and two-thirds within eight hours.”
He expressed confidence in a swift recovery, stating, “We will bounce back from the current situation very, very quickly,” and emphasized that the priority is restoring full operations.
“We are doing everything we can to maintain both the capability and the confidence to return our operations to 100% capacity as quickly as possible.”
