Iran War Continues To Weigh on Gulf Business Jet Traffic | Aviation International News

Regulations and Government

Iran War Continues To Weigh on Gulf Bizjet Traffic

Lastest data from WingX shows further decline in traffic in region

MEBAA 2024 show business jets — Business aircraft crowded the static display at the 2024 MEBAA show in Dubai, but the sector's traffic volumes have declined in the region in the wake of the Iran war. © AIN/David McIntosh

By Peter Shaw-Smith • Contributor - Middle East

October 7, 2026

Business aviation flying in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states dipped by as much as 69% between late March and early May, in the immediate aftermath of the launch of U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28. Data from WingX released to AIN shows traffic at the region's airports subsequently regaining some ground, before falling again by 30% in August after the ceasefire terms of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in June stalled.

Market uncertainty spiked again last month with the launch of Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian energy infrastructure, major airports, and military bases. Subsequently, business aircraft within Saudi Arabia moved away from the capital, with movements at the main Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (OERK) falling 32%, while Jeddah (OEJN) and Dammam (OEDF) rose 90% and 71%, respectively, WingX reported.

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