What are the ICAO and IATA codes for Dubai International Airport?

IATA: DXB. ICAO: OMDB. Dubai International is one of the world's largest passenger airports by international traffic and serves as the primary base for Emirates and a major transit hub for flights between Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Which FIR covers Dubai airspace?

Dubai operations are within the OMAE (UAE) FIR, managed by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). OMAE coordinates with adjacent FIRs OOMM (Muscat / Oman), OBBB (Bahrain), and OEJD (Saudi Arabia / Jeddah).

How has DXB traffic been affected by Middle East airspace restrictions?

DXB has functioned as both a transit beneficiary (with carriers rerouting around restricted northern corridors) and a periodically affected hub. UAE airspace experienced four precautionary closures of 1–6 hours each during March 2026, with normal operations resuming after each event. Specific monthly throughput data is published by Dubai Airports.

What carriers are based at DXB?

Emirates is the primary carrier based at DXB (with Dubai International as its main hub). Flydubai also bases operations at DXB. Many international carriers operate scheduled service to DXB; specific airline lists are published by Dubai Airports operator.

Is DXB the same as DWC (Al Maktoum)?

No. DXB / OMDB is Dubai International (Dubai's main airport). DWC / OMDW is Al Maktoum International, located in Dubai South. Long-term planning by Dubai Airports anticipates a progressive transition of capacity to DWC; as of April 2026, DXB remains the primary international gateway.

Where can I find authoritative traffic data?

Dubai Airports publishes monthly traffic statistics at dubaiairports.ae. UAE GCAA publishes operational and regulatory information. EUROCONTROL Network Manager publications include Europe–DXB flow data. Industry analysis from IATA and trade press provides context.

← All datasets

Dataset CC-BY 4.0 Updated April 2026

Dubai DXB Hub Concentration — 2026

Reference dataset on Dubai International Airport (DXB / OMDB) and its role as a transit hub in 2026. Throughput patterns, airline mix, OMAE FIR operations, and operational characteristics during periodic precautionary closures. Sources: Dubai Airports, UAE GCAA, EUROCONTROL.

Last verified:Apr 26, 2026Sources:DUBAI-AIRPORTS · IATA-PUBLICATIONS · EUROCONTROL-NETWORKNext review:May 26

Hub Profile

Attribute	Value
IATA / ICAO codes	DXB / OMDB
FIR	OMAE (UAE)
National authority	UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
Airport operator	Dubai Airports
Primary based carrier	Emirates
Secondary based carrier	Flydubai
Adjacent FIRs	OOMM (Muscat) / OBBB (Bahrain) / OEJD (Jeddah) / OIIX (Tehran — restricted)
Sister airport (Dubai metro)	DWC / OMDW (Al Maktoum)

Role in Current Routing Environment

DXB has dual exposure to the current airspace environment:

Transit beneficiary: Carriers operating Europe–Asia, Africa–Asia, and Europe–Oceania rotations have used DXB and adjacent Gulf hubs as connecting points to reroute around northern corridors restricted by the Russian airspace ban and the OPKR/OPLR closure to Indian carriers. This has supported sustained DXB throughput during a period of reshaped global flows.
Periodic precautionary closures: UAE airspace experienced four precautionary closures of 1–6 hours each during March 2026, each followed by normal-operations resumption. Recovery throughput at DXB during these events is typically managed within 12–24 hours.
Adjacent restricted FIRs: OMAE neighbours OIIX (Tehran), which is subject to FAA SFAR 117 and EASA CZIB 2026-02-R1. Carriers operating to DXB plan routings that comply with their home-authority requirements with respect to OIIX, ORBB, and adjacent FIRs.

Capacity Considerations

DXB has historically operated near capacity peaks, particularly during morning and evening connection waves driven by Emirates\' hub structure. During precautionary closures, the recovery profile depends on:

Slot allocation pre-event and re-prioritisation during the recovery window
Diversion airport availability (DOH Doha, AUH Abu Dhabi, BAH Bahrain, MCT Muscat as standard alternates)
Aircraft and crew positioning when the closure ends
Knock-on effects propagating through the Emirates / Flydubai hub-and-spoke schedule for 12–24 hours

Long-term Dubai Airports planning anticipates progressive capacity transition to DWC (Al Maktoum) over the coming years; as of April 2026, DXB remains the primary international gateway.

Source Authorities

Dubai Airports — monthly traffic statistics (dubaiairports.ae)
UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) — operational and regulatory publications
EUROCONTROL Network Manager — Europe–DXB flow data
IATA economic publications — industry-wide hub analysis
EASA CZIB 2026-03 (Middle East and Persian Gulf) — current advisories applicable to operators
FAA Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices — for US-registered operator constraints

Briefing

Middle East Airspace Status

Dubai DXB — Frequently Asked Questions

Common search queries answered with current status, FIR codes, and source citations.

What are the ICAO and IATA codes for Dubai International Airport?: IATA: DXB. ICAO: OMDB. Dubai International is one of the world's largest passenger airports by international traffic and serves as the primary base for Emirates and a major transit hub for flights between Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Which FIR covers Dubai airspace?: Dubai operations are within the OMAE (UAE) FIR, managed by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). OMAE coordinates with adjacent FIRs OOMM (Muscat / Oman), OBBB (Bahrain), and OEJD (Saudi Arabia / Jeddah).
How has DXB traffic been affected by Middle East airspace restrictions?: DXB has functioned as both a transit beneficiary (with carriers rerouting around restricted northern corridors) and a periodically affected hub. UAE airspace experienced four precautionary closures of 1–6 hours each during March 2026, with normal operations resuming after each event. Specific monthly throughput data is published by Dubai Airports.
What carriers are based at DXB?: Emirates is the primary carrier based at DXB (with Dubai International as its main hub). Flydubai also bases operations at DXB. Many international carriers operate scheduled service to DXB; specific airline lists are published by Dubai Airports operator.
Is DXB the same as DWC (Al Maktoum)?: No. DXB / OMDB is Dubai International (Dubai's main airport). DWC / OMDW is Al Maktoum International, located in Dubai South. Long-term planning by Dubai Airports anticipates a progressive transition of capacity to DWC; as of April 2026, DXB remains the primary international gateway.
Where can I find authoritative traffic data?: Dubai Airports publishes monthly traffic statistics at dubaiairports.ae. UAE GCAA publishes operational and regulatory information. EUROCONTROL Network Manager publications include Europe–DXB flow data. Industry analysis from IATA and trade press provides context.