Gulf Aviation Superhubs Face Wartime Threat as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi Become Battlefield

For many years, the superhub airports in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi have channeled millions of travelers between Asia and the West. In the previous year, these three airports collectively managed approximately 182 million passengers, which is three times the volume at Hong Kong airport. Notably, Dubai alone processed 95.2 million passengers, marking the highest total ever for an airport. This hub-and-spoke system, which directs travelers through a central airport to various destinations, has reshaped global aviation patterns, establishing a new benchmark for travel between East and West. However, the ongoing conflict introduces a unique challenge: rather than merely disrupting flights, these hubs have become battlegrounds. The critical question is whether the Gulf aviation superhub model can endure through the war.