Limited Flights Resume as Emirates, Etihad Restart Operations After Gulf Airspace Disruptions

New Delhi, March 2026 : UAE-based carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways on Monday announced the phased resumption of limited flight operations, following confirmation by Dubai Airports that airport services would partially restart after a temporary shutdown triggered by escalating hostilities in the Middle East.

The move comes after Dubai’s aviation network was brought to a standstill amid heightened security concerns arising from military exchanges between the US–Israel alliance and Iran. With safety conditions gradually stabilising, authorities have permitted a small number of exceptional flights to operate from Sunday evening, allowing airlines to begin cautiously restoring connectivity.

Emirates said it would restart services in stages, giving priority to passengers who held earlier bookings. The airline clarified that customers who have been accommodated on these limited flights will be contacted directly. In a statement, Emirates urged travellers not to proceed to the airport unless they have received official confirmation. All other scheduled flights remain suspended until further notice, it added.

The Dubai-based carrier emphasised that it is closely monitoring developments in the region and will adjust its operational plans as required. Regular updates will be shared through the airline’s official website and social media platforms. Reiterating its commitment to passenger welfare, Emirates said the safety and security of customers and crew remain its highest priority and thanked travellers for their patience and cooperation during the disruption.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways announced that it would operate a select number of repositioning, cargo, and repatriation flights. These services will be conducted in close coordination with UAE authorities and will be subject to strict operational and safety clearances. However, Etihad also noted that a full return to normal flight schedules would depend on further assessments by aviation regulators and security agencies.

Authorities have not yet outlined a timeline for the complete restoration of regular air traffic. Dubai Airports confirmed that only a limited number of flights would be permitted to operate from Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International during the initial phase of reopening.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority echoed this advisory, stating that exceptional flights are currently operating at airports across the country. It advised passengers to wait for direct communication from their respective airlines with confirmed flight details before heading to the airport, in order to ensure orderly and safe processing.

The partial reopening follows widespread airspace closures across the Gulf after missile and drone attacks linked to the intensifying conflict. Several airports in the region reported damage over the weekend as Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting US military installations in Gulf countries. As a result, airlines were forced to suspend operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major transit hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

Dubai International, the world’s busiest international airport, had halted regular services amid safety concerns, sending shockwaves through global aviation. The shutdown significantly disrupted international flight networks, as Gulf carriers operate hub-and-spoke models that connect Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. While the limited resumption offers relief to stranded travellers, aviation authorities caution that full normalcy will depend on further stabilisation of the regional security situation.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)