UAE airlines begin limited flight operations as regional airspace disruptions ease

UAE airlines have begun operating a limited number of flights after widespread suspensions caused by regional airspace closures over the weekend. The disruptions followed heightened tensions after the US–Israeli strike on Iran, which led to delays, cancellations and rerouting across the Middle East.

FlyDubai announced that a restricted number of flights would resume from Monday, prioritising passengers who were previously booked or rebooked. The airline said customers will be contacted directly and urged travellers not to go to the airport unless they receive confirmation.

Etihad Airways also confirmed that some flights have restarted, though most scheduled operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport remain cancelled. The airline said it is working to restore services gradually as airspace restrictions ease and advised passengers to monitor official updates.

Emirates said it will operate a limited number of flights from Sunday evening, while all other services remain suspended until further notice. The airline is prioritising passengers with earlier bookings and will notify customers directly. Emirates said it continues to assess the situation and will adjust its schedule as conditions improve.

According to Gulf News, several UAE airlines and airports are still experiencing significant operational challenges, with many flights suspended until at least March 3. Carriers have advised passengers to check official channels for the latest information, as schedules may change at short notice.

Emirates will begin operating a limited number of flights commencing on the evening of 2 March.

We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates.

Please… pic.twitter.com/YATNz5gSdh

— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 2, 2026

The temporary shutdown of regional airspace prompted airlines across the Middle East to halt or reroute flights for safety reasons. UAE carriers are now among the first to begin a phased resumption of operations as the situation stabilises.