The UAE’s aviation sector has begun cautiously returning to operations as airlines and airports gradually restore services following several days of disruption caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Major carriers announced limited flight schedules on Thursday after parts of the region’s airspace reopened, allowing commercial aviation to cautiously resume. Dubai’s flagship airline, Emirates, confirmed it has restarted operations with a reduced schedule as airspace restrictions remain in place across several parts of the region.
A spokesperson for the airline said Emirates is currently operating more than 100 flights across Thursday and Friday while monitoring the situation closely.
“Emirates can confirm that it is currently operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice. This follows the partial reopening of regional airspace for the safe conduct of commercial flights,” the spokesperson said.
According to the airline, the flights scheduled for March 5 and 6 will depart from Dubai and return to the emirate, enabling passengers to continue their journeys.
The airline noted that these flights will carry both travelers and critical cargo such as pharmaceuticals and perishable goods, which are essential for supply chains across several countries.
Emirates also emphasized that restoring its full network will take time, as operations remain dependent on airspace availability and evolving security conditions.
The airline stated that it will continue to rebuild its flight schedule gradually while ensuring all operational and safety requirements are met.
“Safety is always our top priority. We continue to monitor the situation and adapt our operations accordingly,” the spokesperson added. Emirates also urged passengers to avoid traveling to the airport unless they hold a confirmed booking.
To provide flexibility for affected travelers, the airline said passengers who were scheduled to travel between February 28 and March 31 can rebook their flights. These travelers may reschedule their journeys on alternative flights departing on or before April 30, according to the airline’s updated travel policy.
Dubai’s second major carrier, flydubai, also confirmed it has resumed operations across its network, though flights remain limited due to ongoing airspace restrictions. The airline said it is actively updating its schedule and adding more flights as regional airspace gradually becomes available.
“We are continuously updating our schedule and adding more flights as airspace restrictions are lifted. We continue to monitor the situation closely,” a flydubai spokesperson said.
The airline warned that some flights may take longer than usual due to temporary rerouting around restricted airspace. Such changes may extend flight durations as airlines avoid certain parts of the region where military activity remains ongoing.
Flydubai also advised travelers not to head to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking or official confirmation of a rebooked flight. Passengers transiting through Dubai on the flydubai network will only be allowed to travel if their connecting flights are operating, the airline said.
Airports across the UAE have also begun gradually restoring operations in coordination with national authorities overseeing emergency response efforts. In Abu Dhabi, Zayed International Airport confirmed that it has resumed limited flight operations.
The airport said services are being coordinated with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre in Abu Dhabi to ensure safety and smooth passenger movement. However, not all airlines have resumed operations yet.
Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s national carrier, said all scheduled commercial flights to and from the capital remain suspended until 6am UAE time on Friday. The airline has been closely monitoring the situation and is expected to resume services once conditions are deemed safe for operations.
Meanwhile, Sharjah-based Air Arabia confirmed that flights to and from the UAE remain temporarily suspended until 3pm UAE time on Monday, March 9, 2026. The widespread disruption began after several Gulf countries closed their airspace following the outbreak of a regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The escalation prompted aviation authorities to suspend commercial flights across large sections of the Middle East as a precautionary safety measure. These closures stranded thousands of passengers across airports in the region and forced airlines to cancel or reroute hundreds of flights.
Industry experts say the gradual reopening of airspace signals the beginning of a slow recovery for the region’s aviation sector. However, they warn that flight schedules may continue to change in the coming days depending on developments in the security situation.
For now, airlines across the UAE are urging travelers to remain patient and regularly check updates from their carriers before heading to airports. As tensions in the region continue to evolve, aviation authorities and airlines say safety will remain the top priority while restoring normal flight operations.