UAE flights update: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia resume limited services
International carriers adjust schedules as regional airspace restrictions continue
DUBAI – Air travel across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains limited as airlines continue to adjust schedules following ongoing regional airspace disruptions.
While most regular passenger services remain suspended, several UAE carriers have begun operating restricted and special flights to support repatriation, cargo operations and essential travel.
Operations at major UAE airports are gradually resuming under tightly controlled schedules coordinated between aviation authorities and airlines. Limited services are currently operating from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, although travellers are being strongly advised to head to the airport only if they hold a confirmed booking and have been instructed to travel by their airline.
Authorities say safety remains the top priority as aviation teams work to restore connectivity in stages. Travellers are being urged to monitor airline websites, mobile apps and official airport channels for real-time updates before making their way to the airport.
Emirates
Dubai-based Emirates has suspended all scheduled flights to and from Dubai until 11.59pm UAE time on Saturday, March 7. Despite the suspension, the airline continues to operate a limited number of services, mainly prioritising passengers with existing confirmed bookings.
All scheduled Emirates flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until 2359hrs UAE time on 7 March, due to airspace closures across the region.
— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 4, 2026
Emirates continues to operate a limited flight schedule: https://t.co/yehFUeWZQq. We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings… pic.twitter.com/66WkOeri2S
Passengers connecting through Dubai will only be allowed to travel if their onward flight is operating. Emirates has advised customers not to go to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by the airline or have received confirmation of their departure.
Travellers affected by cancellations can rebook their flights for travel on or before March 27, depending on availability. Refunds are also available for bookings made on or before March 12, while those who booked through travel agents are required to manage changes directly with their agent.
The airline has also temporarily closed its Dubai city check-in facilities while operations remain limited.
Etihad Airways
Abu Dhabi’s national carrier has confirmed that all scheduled flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 6am UAE time on Friday, March 6.
During the suspension period, Etihad is operating a small number of repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights, with limited passenger seats made available where operational approvals allow.
Passengers are advised to travel only if they have received confirmation within the previous 24 hours. Access to the airport will be restricted to travellers holding confirmed bookings and valid travel documentation.
Airport Advisory
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) March 3, 2026
Guests and members of the public are advised not to travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad and provided with confirmed ticket details.
Access to the airport will be restricted for those without confirmed travel documentation.…
For passengers whose tickets were issued on or before February 28, 2026, with travel dates up to March 10, Etihad is offering free rebooking until March 31. Refund requests can also be submitted online or through travel agents. The airline has warned of longer-than-usual waiting times due to high call volumes.
Etihad has also cautioned travellers to be aware of fraudulent social media accounts impersonating the airline and attempting to collect personal information from passengers online.
flydubai
Low-cost carrier flydubai has begun gradually resuming scheduled flights from March 5, operating selected routes from Dubai.
However, some destinations remain affected due to ongoing airspace restrictions, and flights may take longer than usual as aircraft are rerouted through alternative corridors.
Passengers are advised to check their flight status before travelling and ensure their booking details are up to date to receive the latest notifications.
Flights can be booked through the airline’s website, contact centre, travel shops or authorised agents.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has announced that flights to and from the UAE will remain suspended until 3pm UAE time on Monday, March 9, although a limited number of flights are continuing under special operational approvals.
The airline has asked passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly about an operating flight.
Travel Update
— Air Arabia (@airarabiagroup) March 4, 2026
Air Arabia flights to and from the UAE remain temporarily suspended until 15:00 (UAE time), Monday, 09 March 2026.
A limited number of flights continue to operate in coordination with the relevant authorities, subject to operational and safety approvals.… pic.twitter.com/YOe5aaHBnj
Travellers affected by cancellations can choose between one free date change within 15 days, a credit voucher, or a full refund to the original payment method. Customers who booked through travel agents must manage changes directly with their agent.
International airlines
Several international carriers have also adjusted their schedules in response to regional developments.
Air France has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh until March 5 due to security concerns. Virgin Atlantic has already resumed scheduled flights between London Heathrow and Dubai and Riyadh from March 3.
Indian airlines are operating a number of special services to assist travellers. IndiGo has resumed flights to destinations including Athens, Muscat, Jeddah and Madinah, while gradually increasing repatriation flights to the UAE between March 3 and March 5.
Travel Advisory
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) March 4, 2026
Over the past few days, many of our customers have been navigating uncertainty while waiting to return home or reach places that matter most to them. During this time, we remain firmly by your side, doing everything possible to support your journeys with care,…
Air India has deployed additional capacity on routes to Toronto, Frankfurt and Paris Charles de Gaulle, while Air India Express is operating special flights to and from Ras Al Khaimah between March 5 and March 7, connecting Delhi, Kochi and Mumbai.
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) March 4, 2026
Air India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and has started operating a few flights to and from Dubai and Jeddah to bring back stranded passengers giving highest priority to their safety and wellbeing.
While most of our operations…
SpiceJet and Akasa Air are also running select repatriation services to support passengers stranded in the region.
Meanwhile, several major airlines including Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Saudia, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair, British Airways, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have temporarily paused or cancelled many services to the UAE.
Update: Qatar Airways flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace by the relevant authorities. A further update…
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) March 5, 2026
UAE airports advisory
UAE airports have resumed limited operations as part of a gradual restoration of air traffic following regional developments.
Dubai Airports confirmed that most flights remain suspended, urging travellers not to come to the airport unless their airline has officially confirmed their departure time. Entry to terminals will be restricted to passengers with confirmed flights to avoid overcrowding.
⚠️ 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.
At Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, limited flight operations have resumed in coordination with the emirate’s crisis management authorities. During the disruption, more than 4,300 complimentary hotel rooms across 74 hotels were provided to accommodate around 7,000 affected passengers, alongside shuttle services, medical assistance and other support.
Sharjah International Airport has also asked passengers to verify their flight status with airlines before travelling, noting that airport access will be restricted to travellers with confirmed bookings.
Authorities say the gradual restoration of services has been made possible through close coordination between airlines, airports and aviation regulators, as the UAE works to resume operations while maintaining strict safety protocols.