Emirates Flying Near-Empty Jets to Dubai as Locals Depart

An Emirates Airbus A380 passes smoke from an ongoing fire as it prepares to land at Dubai International Airport, on March 16.

Source: AFP/Getty Images

Emirates is operating flights to Dubai that are near-empty in some cases as travelers avoid the Persian Gulf, highlighting the challenges for the world’s largest international airline to restore its network amid a protracted war.

Flights from destinations in the US and continental Europe have been impacted the hardest, with planes returning from Prague or Budapest only about 5% to 10% occupied, according to data compiled by the Dubai-based airline that was reviewed by Bloomberg.