Etihad Airways suspends all Abu Dhabi commercial flights until Wednesday

Airport access restricted without confirmed travel documentation

Etihad Airways
Caption: Etihad Airways suspends all scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi until Wednesday noon due to regional airspace disruption, with rebooking and refund options announced.
Source: Etihad Airways


ABU DHABI – All scheduled commercial flights operated by Etihad Airways to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 14:00 UAE time on Wednesday, March 4, following ongoing regional airspace disruption.

The UAE’s national airline confirmed that regular passenger services are cancelled during this period, while only a small number of specially approved flights are being permitted to operate. Travellers booked on affected services have been urged not to proceed to the airport unless directly contacted by the airline.

In its latest operational update, the carrier stressed that the suspension applies to all scheduled commercial services. The move is part of wider precautionary measures linked to airspace restrictions in the region.

Limited operations

While regular passenger flights remain halted, the airline said some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate. These movements are being conducted in coordination with UAE authorities and are subject to strict operational and safety approvals.

Such flights are not regular commercial services and are being carried out only under specific clearances. The airline emphasised that safety remains its absolute priority and that services will resume only once all required safety criteria are met.

Passengers booked on scheduled commercial services have been clearly advised not to travel to Zayed International Airport unless they have received direct communication from the airline confirming their travel. Access to the airport may be restricted for individuals without confirmed ticket details.

Travellers are urged to check their flight status at etihad.com before making any arrangements to travel and to ensure their contact details are updated in their booking to receive the latest notifications.

Rebooking options

Etihad has outlined flexible options for affected passengers. Guests holding tickets issued on or before February 28, 2026, for original travel dates up to March 7, 2026, are eligible to rebook free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights up to March 18, 2026.

The airline confirmed that the rebooking applies to its own operated services, offering travellers the opportunity to adjust their plans without additional fees within the specified window.

Passengers scheduled to travel on any Etihad flight until March 7 may also request a refund. Refund applications can be submitted through the airline’s online form or processed via the original travel agent for those who booked through third parties.

Refund process

The airline noted that it is currently experiencing a high volume of customer calls, which may result in longer-than-usual response times. Travellers seeking refunds are encouraged to use the online refund request form to expedite processing.

Those who made their reservations through travel agencies have been advised to contact their agents directly for assistance with rebooking or refunds.