How regional flight disruptions affected our business, how Dubai began recovering, and why we continue serving authentic Indonesian food.
A challenging period for Dubai
Since opening on 1 July 2012, Dapoer Kita has been proud to share authentic Indonesian cuisine with Dubai’s international community. For us, our restaurant is more than a place to eat. It is a little taste of Indonesia, bringing people together through familiar flavours, traditional recipes and the warmth of Indonesian hospitality.
However, 2026 has brought unexpected challenges to Dubai’s travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.
The regional conflict involving Iran, which escalated in late February 2026, disrupted aviation across the Middle East. Flight cancellations, airspace restrictions, rerouting and uncertainty affected international travel at a time when Dubai’s hospitality industry depends on the movement of visitors, residents and business travellers.
Like many businesses in the hospitality sector, Dapoer Kita experienced a slowdown beginning in March. The effects were felt not only through tourism but also through changes in customer spending and the general atmosphere of uncertainty.
March to May 2026 : When international travel was disrupted
In March, UAE airlines began operating limited and exceptional flights while the aviation sector worked through the disruption. Although flights continued to operate, schedules and passenger movements were significantly affected, the secondary impact from airlines disruption is also affecting our visitor and indirectly affect our sales.
During April, Dubai Airports began scaling up operations as airspace conditions improved. In May, Emirates reported that it had restored 96% of its global network, although its overall operating capacity remained below pre-disruption levels.
These developments were important for Dubai. The city is a global aviation hub, and its visitor economy relies on international airlines connecting people from across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
When travel becomes uncertain, the effects can extend beyond airports and airlines. Hotels, retail businesses, restaurants, attractions and other services can also feel the impact.
For Dapoer Kita, this period was a reminder that even a restaurant serving its regular local community can be affected by events taking place far beyond its own neighbourhood.
June onwards: Signs of gradual improvement
From June onward, we began observing a gradual improvement in our business.
This coincided with encouraging signs across Dubai’s aviation sector. Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport increased from 4.5 million in May to 5 million in June, while airlines continued rebuilding their networks and restoring international connections.
The recovery was not immediate or uniform. Some international carriers resumed services earlier than others, and many routes continued to operate under restrictions or revised schedules.
Nevertheless, improving connectivity helped restore confidence and supported the gradual return of travel and tourism activity.
We recognise that our own business experience is only one part of a much larger picture. However, the timing of this improvement illustrates how closely local hospitality businesses can be connected to the wider travel economy.
Why Indonesian food continues to bring people together
At Dapoer Kita, our commitment has remained unchanged, we are promoting our culture through our food.
We continue to prepare Indonesian favourites inspired by the country’s rich culinary traditions, including rendang, nasi Padang, ayam goreng kremes, gulai kikil, nasi goreng and other comforting dishes enjoyed by Indonesians and international customers alike.
For Indonesian residents, our food can offer a familiar taste of home. For visitors and food lovers from other countries, it provides an opportunity to discover the diversity of Indonesian cuisine.
We believe that authentic food, generous hospitality and reasonable value matter even more during challenging economic periods.
Our journey since 2012 has taught us that running a restaurant requires patience, adaptability and a long-term commitment to our customers. We remain grateful to everyone who continues to dine with us, orders from us, recommends us to friends or leaves a review.
Looking ahead with confidence
Dubai has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The gradual restoration of airline services during 2026 has offered encouraging signs, even as the wider travel and tourism recovery remains uneven.
For small businesses, recovery is not measured by airline announcements alone. It is experienced through returning customers, improving demand and the confidence to keep investing in quality and service.
At Dapoer Kita, we will continue doing what we have done since 2012: sharing authentic Indonesian flavours and welcoming our community to the table.
Whether you are an Indonesian resident looking for a taste of home or a visitor discovering Indonesian cuisine for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Visit Dapoer Kita in Al Karama, Dubai, and discover the taste of Indonesia.
Dapoer Kita — Authentic Indonesian Food in Dubai Since 2012
Explore our menu: Dapoerkita menu
Find us: https://dapoerkita.com/contact/