UAE flights update: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia resume limited operations
Passengers urged not to travel to airport without confirmed bookings
DUBAI – Major UAE airlines have begun restoring flight operations as regional airspace gradually reopens following days of disruption.
Carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia have issued updated operational guidance as flights resume under strict safety and regulatory conditions.
Authorities and airlines emphasise that passengers should not travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking or have been contacted directly by their airline. Flight schedules remain subject to operational approvals and airspace conditions.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has resumed a limited number of international services from Abu Dhabi.
The airline is currently operating flights to major global destinations including London, New York, Toronto, Paris, Rome, Zurich, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul.
The latest flight schedule can be found at: https://t.co/xOQs6ucQGX pic.twitter.com/Z3g6fszIzZ
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) March 8, 2026
Additional regional services are also running to cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah and several destinations across India.
The latest flight schedule can be found at: https://t.co/xOQs6ucQGX pic.twitter.com/yzY9qttwaL
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) March 8, 2026
Etihad confirmed that passengers holding tickets issued on or before February 28 for travel until March 21 may rebook free of charge for travel up to May 15.
Refund requests can also be submitted online or through travel agents.
Emirates
Dubai-based Emirates has resumed a reduced global schedule from Dubai International Airport.
The airline is operating dozens of international services to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas, including major hubs such as London Heathrow, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Singapore, Toronto and New York.
Transit passengers travelling through Dubai are accepted only if their onward flights are operating.
The airline continues to monitor the situation and may adjust schedules depending on evolving regional airspace conditions.
flydubai
Low-cost carrier flydubai confirmed that operations in and out of Dubai have resumed.
Passengers are advised not to travel without confirmed bookings and to check their flight status regularly before departure.
The airline has introduced flexible rebooking options for flights booked between February 28 and March 31. Travellers can change their travel dates up to 30 days from the original booking without penalty.
Connecting passengers will only be accepted if onward flights are confirmed.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has also resumed limited services to and from the UAE.
Passengers whose flights were cancelled can rebook if they have not already used modification or refund options. Confirmed travellers will be notified directly by email or SMS.
The airline stressed that passengers should only travel to the airport if they have a confirmed booking.
All flights remain subject to regulatory and operational approvals.
What passengers need to know
Airlines across the UAE continue to prioritise passenger and crew safety while restoring operations.
Travellers are urged to ensure their contact details are updated in booking records and to monitor airline websites or mobile applications for the latest updates.
Checking flight status before travelling to the airport is essential, particularly as schedules may change quickly depending on regional airspace conditions.
Airlines also confirmed that transit passengers will be accepted only if connecting flights are operating, and that rebooking or refund options remain available for travellers affected by cancellations.