UAE flights remain disrupted as Iran-Israel tensions escalate
Emirates, Etihad, flydubai suspend routes amid Middle East airspace closure
DUBAI: Flight operations at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport continue to face significant disruption on Tuesday, as regional tensions escalate following the latest developments in the Iran-Israel conflict.
With large portions of airspace across the Middle East closed or restricted, delays and cancellations have impacted both departures and arrivals at the UAE’s key aviation hubs.
In a statement, Abu Dhabi airport confirmed: “Flight operations…continue to face disruptions, including delays and cancellations. We are working closely with our airline and government partners.”
⚠Update - Tue, 17 June:
— Zayed International Airport (@AUH) June 17, 2025
Flight operations at Zayed International Airport continue to face disruptions, with delays and cancellations. We’re working with our partners, and while there are early signs of improvement, they remain minimal. Please check with your airline.
Although there are initial signs of improvement, these remain “minimal at this stage,” the airport added. Passengers have been strongly urged to confirm flight details with their airlines before travelling to the airport.
UPDATE ⚠️ Due to recent airspace closures, flights operating out of #DXB and #DWC - Al Maktoum International may experience disruptions. Please check with your airline for the latest flight status before heading to the airport.
— DXB (@DXB) June 16, 2025
The disruptions follow the closure of Iranian airspace in response to security concerns linked to escalating tensions with Israel. Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority suspended all domestic and international flights until 2:00 AM local time on Tuesday, after an earlier extension through 2:00 PM Monday. The move, officials said, was aimed at ensuring passenger safety amid "exceptional circumstances."
UAE airline disruptions
UAE carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia have all adjusted their flight schedules, cancelling or rerouting services to avoid the affected region.
Dubai-based Emirates Airline announced a suspension of flights to and from several countries in the region. Flights to Jordan (Amman) and Lebanon (Beirut) are cancelled through Sunday, June 22, while those to Iran (Tehran), and Iraq (Baghdad and Basra) will remain suspended until Monday, June 30. Emirates has also confirmed that all services to Tel Aviv, Israel, are halted indefinitely.
Etihad Airways, operating from Abu Dhabi, has continued to adjust schedules. While flights to Tel Aviv remain cancelled until June 17, services to Amman and Beirut have resumed, albeit with revised timings for passengers already booked. Etihad is advising travellers to monitor updates on etihad.com or to contact their call centre for real-time information.
flydubai, also based in Dubai, has halted flights to multiple destinations including Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria until June 16. Services to Iran, Iraq, and Israel are suspended until June 20, while flights to Minsk and St. Petersburg are off the schedule until June 17.
Low-cost airline Wizz Air has suspended all operations to and from Tel Aviv and Amman until September 15. The carrier also warned passengers that other services routed over the affected airspace may face disruptions. Affected travellers have been offered free rebooking or full refunds in WIZZ credits or to their original method of payment. Customers who booked through third parties are advised to contact their booking agents directly.
Global travel
The effects of the regional conflict and airspace shutdowns are being felt beyond the UAE as well. Major international airlines have adjusted or suspended services to and through Middle Eastern countries impacted by the ongoing crisis.
Airspace closures in Iran, Iraq, and Israel have led to widespread delays and rerouting efforts by carriers in Europe, Asia, and North America. While UAE airports have worked in coordination with airline and government partners to minimise passenger disruption, operational challenges remain.
Passengers travelling from or through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah have been advised to closely monitor airline announcements, make contingency plans, and allow extra time for travel. Many carriers are offering flexible rebooking options to accommodate itinerary changes during the ongoing uncertainty.
As the situation continues to evolve, aviation authorities and airline operators are keeping a close watch on regional developments. Further schedule changes and route adjustments are expected depending on how the geopolitical landscape unfolds in the coming days.