UAE airports restore limited flights as safe air corridors ease travel disruption
Travellers advised to confirm flights before heading to airports
DUBAI – Airports across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have begun gradually restoring limited flight operations following widespread disruptions linked to recent regional developments, while authorities have also established safe air corridors to facilitate essential travel.
Officials have urged travellers across the country to confirm their flight schedules with airlines before heading to airports, warning that many services remain suspended or subject to change as airlines rebuild their schedules.
During a recent media briefing, UAE authorities announced that air traffic capacity would be gradually restored, with up to 48 flights per hour expected to operate as the aviation sector moves towards recovery.
Travel industry experts say the safe air corridors established with GCC countries will allow airlines to operate around 20 to 30 percent of their capacity. The arrangement is expected to help clear the backlog of stranded passengers while also enabling urgent travel, including medical cases and emergency journeys.
Dubai
Dubai Airports confirmed that most flights remain suspended from the emirate’s airports as operations gradually resume.
⚠️ Most flights remain suspended. Please do not come to the airport unless your airline has confirmed your departure time. Guests without a confirmed flight may not be able to access the terminals.
— DXB (@DXB) March 4, 2026
Please contact your airline directly for the latest updates on your flight.
Passengers have been advised not to travel to the airport unless their airline has confirmed their departure time. Authorities said travellers without confirmed bookings may not be allowed to access terminal halls in order to manage passenger flow and avoid overcrowding.
Dubai Airports Chief Executive Officer Paul Griffiths also visited airport teams on the ground alongside officials from Dubai Police and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. The visit focused on assessing operations, supporting frontline staff and acknowledging the coordination required to manage the disruption.
Airport officials said the partial resumption of flights has been made possible through close cooperation between airlines, government agencies and aviation partners working together across the airport ecosystem.
Abu Dhabi
At Zayed International Airport, limited flight operations have resumed following close coordination with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Center – Abu Dhabi.
Authorities implemented extensive support measures to assist passengers affected by flight disruptions. More than 4,300 complimentary hotel rooms were arranged across 74 hotels to accommodate approximately 7,000 travellers whose journeys were impacted.
مسافرون في مطار زايد الدولي يتحدثون عن منظومة الدعم المتكاملة التي توفرها لهم "مطارات أبوظبي"، بعد استئناف عمليات تشغيلية محدودة للرحلات الجوية، ما يتضمن خدمات الإقامة، والنقل، والرعاية الطبية، في ظل إعطاء الأولوية للحفاظ على سلامة ورفاه المسافرين. pic.twitter.com/Zufwul9odh
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) March 5, 2026
Joint efforts across government entities and aviation partners also ensured shuttle transport, refreshments, hospitality support, medical services and retail vouchers for passengers during the disruption.
Travellers holding confirmed tickets have been advised to contact airlines for updated flight schedules and to arrive at the airport only after receiving guidance on their departure time.
Sharjah
Sharjah International Airport has also advised passengers to verify their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport.
Sharjah Airport Authority advises all passengers to check the status of their flights with their respective airlines before heading to the airport, as most flights remain suspended.
— مطار الشارقة (@sharjahairport) March 5, 2026
Entry to the airport is currently limited to passengers holding confirmed bookings only, in order…
The Sharjah International Airport Authority said access to terminal facilities will be restricted to passengers with confirmed bookings in order to maintain smooth traffic flow and operational efficiency.
Passengers have been encouraged to stay in contact with airlines for real-time updates on flight schedules as carriers work to restore services across the region.