GCC passenger volumes rebound more than 65% MoM in May

Travel demand across the GCC rebounded in May 2026 as confidence returned following confirmation of an interim agreement between the US and Iran that brought a pause to the Gulf conflict.

 

Passenger volumes rose 66.2% compared with April, and 72.8% higher than in March, according to travel experiences platform Dragonpass.

 

Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing GCC travel market, with travel demand climbing 165.1% between April and May. Hamad International Airport (DOH) recorded the strongest growth among the region’s major aviation hubs, while Qatar’s share of GCC travel rose from 5.9% in April to 9.5% in May.

 

The UAE recorded a 75.6% increase in travel demand between April and May, accounting for 48.7% of activity across major GCC hubs. Dubai International Airport (DXB), Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) each posted growth of more than 72% over the same period.

 

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Saudi Arabia remained the GCC’s largest travel market, accounting for 41.2% of total travel activity. Demand increased 34.9% during the same period, supported by growth at King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam.

 

Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “The latest data suggests that traveller confidence across the GCC is returning faster than many anticipated. While travellers initially adopted a more cautious approach earlier this year, May’s performance demonstrates the resilience of both consumers and the region’s aviation infrastructure.”

 

The rebound comes as travel conditions continue to improve across the Gulf. The UK has lifted its travel advisory for several GCC countries, including the UAE, while Australia has lowered its travel advice for Middle Eastern destinations as regional tensions eased. 

 

Flight activity has also picked up across the GCC. According to aviation market intelligence company IBA Insight, daily flights from Abu Dhabi rose from 174 in March to 462 in June 2026, while Doha increased from 42 to 570. Emirates has restored 96% of its global network, while Etihad Airways, Flydubai and Qatar Airways continue to rebuild and expand their schedules.

 

For more information, visit www.dragonpass.com