Dubai Losing $1M Per Minute
Dubai Economy Reportedly Losing Nearly $1 Million Per Minute Amid Airport Disruptions
The temporary halt in airport operations in Dubai is reportedly costing the local economy close to $1 million per minute, according to a report by NDTV.
The primary driver of these losses is the disruption at Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest global aviation hubs. The suspension of operations affects not only airlines but also transit passengers, hotels, retail outlets, and ground transportation networks.
The impact is particularly significant for Emirates, which relies heavily on Dubai’s hub model.
Dubai International connects more than 260 cities across over 100 countries. The airport handled 87 million passengers in 2023 and recorded 23.4 million passengers in the first quarter of 2025 — averaging approximately 260,000 to 270,000 passengers per day. On January 3, 2026, the airport set a single-day record with 324,000 passengers.
