Air travel through the United Arab Emirates faced severe disruptions as Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia suspended flights until at least March 3, 2026 due to airspace closures linked to the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. The decisions hit passengers across the globe and left thousands stranded as the Gulf continued to manage flight safety amid soaring tensions.
UAE airlines suspended flights from key hubs including Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). Emirates halted all flights to and from Dubai until at least 3pm UAE time on March 3. Officials said the interruption was a precautionary measure owing to airspace implmenting ongoing regional closures.
Etihad Airways also extended its suspension of flights to and from Abu Dhabi until March 3, highlighting that safety remains a top priority amid volatile airspace conditions.
Flights Resume Partially After Two Days of Shutdown
After two days of near-total grounding, a limited number of flights resumed late on March 2. Major carriers began operating select services out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi as authorities reopened controlled portions of airspace. Airlines urged passengers to confirm departure times with their carriers before heading to airports.
Dubai Airports confirmed that operations started to resume with a small number of permitted flights as of the evening on March 2. The shutdown had begun on February 28 when multiple Gulf airspaces closed following missile, drone, and airstrike activity tied to the wider Iran crisis.
Wider Regional Airspace Closures
The disruptions were not limited to the UAE. Gulf states including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia also closed their airspace. Qatar Airways continued to suspend flights amid the heightened safety concerns.
The closures came after coordinated attacks in the region, which forced airlines to reroute or cancel flights for passengers traveling across continents. A Reuters report found that global carriers were compelled to halt operations to and from the Middle East due to restricted skies, affecting connections between Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Passenger Strain and Support Measures
Stranded travelers scrambled for alternatives as plans were upended. Many faced nights at airports or hotels while trying to secure new connections. Crisis hotlines and rebooking policies were activated by carriers to support passengers navigating cancellations and reroutes.
Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad offered waivers, refunds, and rebooking options to affected passengers. Some Gulf authorities organized special evacuation and repatriation flights for citizens and foreign nationals stuck due to the closures.
Reports from the region also point to government efforts to cover accommodation and meals for large numbers of stranded passengers, though these programs vary by country and carrier.
Global Impact on Travel and Safety
Travel disruption extended beyond the UAE, with Australia reporting massive cancellations and advising nationals to register with authorities as commercial flights struggled to operate. The lack of regular air service became the main barrier to evacuations, prompting governments to consider alternative routes and contingency plans.
Experts said that Gulf aviation hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are crucial to global travel networks, and their disruption sends reverberations through international flight schedules, markets, and traveller confidence.
