Dubai airport’s 48-hour shutdown could have cost up to $1 million per minute

The shutdown of Dubai’s airports for more than 48 hours this week has highlighted the potential economic consequences of disruptions at major aviation hubs, with earlier industry estimates suggesting such closures could cost up to $1 million (~€929,200) per minute.

Dubai Airports confirmed on Monday evening that a limited number of flights would begin operating again after the suspension of operations at both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

Both airports had grounded all flights on Saturday, 28th February, after the United Arab Emirates closed its airspace amid escalating regional tensions following attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes across parts of the Gulf.

In a statement issued shortly after 6pm on 2nd March, Dubai Airports said a small number of flights would be permitted to operate as authorities began restoring services.

Some airlines confirmed that operations would only resume gradually, meanwhile airlines including Emirates and Flydubai indicated on Monday that regular flight schedules would remain largely grounded until at least 3pm on 3rd March (yesterda).

The disruption has renewed attention on the potential economic cost of shutting down one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.

In comments cited in a 2019 report, Michael Rudolph, then Head of Airspace Safety at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, suggested that the economic impact of closing Dubai International Airport could reach around $1 million (~€929,200) per minute.

Such estimates attempt to account for the broader economic ripple effects of airport shutdowns, including cancelled and diverted flights, lost landing and handling fees, disrupted cargo logistics, passenger spending losses, and wider impacts on tourism and hospitality.

Other estimates have placed the potential cost significantly lower. In earlier remarks, Eisa Al Hashmi, Director of the Conformity Department at the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Meteorology, suggested a figure closer to €82,152 per minute.

Whether the real costs are closer to the higher or lower estimates, they are likely to persist in the short-term, with both airports operating a limited schedule in the face of ongoing conflict.