Dubai's abandoned airport terminal is alive with activity once more.

Eighteen months ago, the terminals were bustling with travelers on stopovers or heading to Dubai for a desert getaway. But soon after, Dubai International Airport became eerily quiet, a shadow of its former self.

In 2019, Dubai retained its title as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers. By early 2021, however, the pandemic had left many of its gates and corridors vacant, mirroring the global downturn in air travel.

The downturn, as reported by Airports Council International, resulted in a staggering 70% drop in passenger numbers at DXB, with just 26 million travelers in 2020. Although still the busiest airport worldwide, it was far from its usual vibrant self.

Now, Dubai International is making a comeback. On Thursday, the airport reopened its main Terminal One and brought Concourse D, the expansive retail zone, back into action.

The global aviation industry, still reeling from the economic impacts of the pandemic, will closely monitor this move as it looks for signs of recovery after months of empty skies and depleted finances.

If Dubai, the world's top international air hub, is beginning to bounce back, it could signal that other travel destinations and routes will soon follow suit.

"Dubai's aviation sector has been leading the charge to restore vital international travel, with the establishment of quarantine-free corridors between the UAE and numerous countries," said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports, in a statement.

"This move reflects our confidence in the future, signaling optimism for the remainder of the year and beyond, and demonstrates Dubai's commitment to guiding the aviation sector’s recovery and supporting global economic revival," he added.

A crucial element in Dubai's recovery has been the creation of safe travel routes with countries like Italy and the Seychelles, catering to both Dubai residents and transit passengers seeking leisure destinations.

There’s cause for optimism ahead.

Terminal One at DXB serves all international airlines, with the exception of Dubai’s Emirates, flydubai, and Australia's Qantas Airways, which operate from Terminal Three.

The reopening of these vital terminals will pave the way for over 40 international airlines to resume full services, some of which have been operating limited flights from other terminals.

Concourse D and Terminal One are connected via the airport train, and their reopening will boost the airport’s annual capacity by an additional 18 million passengers, according to Dubai Airports.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, stated that the airport could reach about 26 million passengers this year, nearly matching last year's numbers.

If global travel restrictions continue to ease, the figure could far exceed this, Griffiths told Dinogo.

He also mentioned that the reopening of Terminal One could create 3,500 new jobs across Dubai’s aviation sector, including roles at the airport, airlines, and in food and beverage services.

"There’s now hope for the future that wasn’t there before," he said. "The fact that we’ve stayed the world’s busiest international airport throughout the pandemic shows that our future is equally promising."

"Our strategic location in the Middle East and the operational efficiency we’ve developed over the years continue to set the standard for global aviation operations," said the spokesperson.

Officials believe part of the expected increase in traffic will be driven by Dubai's role as the host city for the long-delayed Expo, now set to take place in October after pandemic-related postponements.

‘Too late to recover’

While there have been signs of recovery, aviation expert John Strickland from JLS Consulting believes Dubai won't return to pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

"We're already too far into the year," he explains. "Take Emirates, Dubai's largest carrier, for instance. It's currently operating about 20 A380s per week, down from a fleet of 115. This reflects a significant drop in activity."

This reduction in fleet utilization, Strickland noted, has contributed to the airline's recent financial struggles.

In what marked the first unprofitable year in over 30 years for Emirates Group, the company behind the airline had to cut jobs, reducing its workforce by around 31%.

Strickland acknowledged that the airline’s financial loss wasn’t unexpected, but emphasized that Emirates did its best to minimize the damage.

"Dubai has been performing better than most other regions worldwide. The challenge is universal, especially with the constant changes in government regulations and restrictions," said Al Maktoum.

Al Maktoum, who also serves as the chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, cautioned that while recovery is on the horizon, the path ahead will be difficult.

"No one can predict when the pandemic will end, but we anticipate that recovery will be uneven," he stated in a press release. "Those businesses and economies that entered the crisis in a strong position will likely rebound faster."

He added, "In the coming year, we will continue to stay agile and respond to the shifting market dynamics. Our goal is to quickly return to full capacity to serve our customers and play a key role in rebuilding economies and communities affected by the pandemic."