Emaar cancellations halve after ceasefire: Alabbar

Mohamed Alabbar, Managing Director of Emaar Properties.

Emaar Properties' average booking cancellations fell to 550 units per month following the ceasefire between the US and Iran, compared with around 1,100 units per month during the first months of the war, Asharq News reported, citing Managing Director, Mohamed Alabbar, on the sidelines of the AIM Investment Summit in Dubai.

Cancellations averaged around 700 units per month in 2025, compared with sales of around 2,500 units per month.

Despite the war’s impact on Dubai’s real estate sales, tourism and hospitality sectors, Emaar maintained a collection rate of nearly 96%, with monthly cash inflows continuing to run into billions of dirhams, which Alabbar described as a sign of customers’ confidence in the UAE, its government and the company.

Emaar Properties’ profit rose to AED 8.67 billion (AED 0.98/share) in H1 2026, compared with AED 7.08 billion in the same period of 2025.

Alabbar expects significant new real estate supply to enter the Dubai market in 2027, which should push the market toward a healthy balance. He noted that the Dubai government manages land supply to maintain a balance between supply and demand in both the rental and ownership markets.

Current conditions do not warrant halting expansion, while high liquidity and low debt levels make this an appropriate time to expand, given the company’s long-term approach to its business.

Alabbar revealed that Emaar plans to enter a new market in addition to the 18 markets in which it currently operates, without identifying the target market.

He called on international investors with cash reserves to consider investment opportunities currently available in the region, particularly in the UAE.