UAE Airlines Operate Limited Flights Amid Regional Airspace Restrictions

In response to ongoing regional developments affecting aviation across the Middle East, airlines in the United Arab Emirates are currently operating a significantly reduced number of flights. Authorities and airline officials have consistently emphasized that passengers should only travel if they possess confirmed bookings and must verify the latest flight status updates before proceeding to the airport.

Dynamic Situation with Safety as Top Priority

The situation remains highly dynamic as regional airspace restrictions and critical security considerations continue to directly influence flight schedules and operations. Officials from both Emirates and Etihad Airways have stressed that the safety of passengers and crew members remains the absolute highest priority while operations gradually stabilize across the region.

Emirates Operating Reduced Schedule

Dubai-based airline Emirates has resumed a limited flight schedule following the partial reopening of regional airspace. The airline has specifically advised travelers, particularly those transiting through Dubai International Airport, to meticulously check their flight status through official channels before initiating any travel plans.

Passengers are strongly encouraged to monitor updates through email notifications, the airline’s official website, and dedicated travel advisories available on emirates.com. For travelers whose plans have been disrupted, Emirates has outlined specific guidance:

Missed Rebooking: Passengers who booked directly with Emirates should contact the airline directly, while those who booked through third-party travel agents should reach out to their respective agents for assistance.
Limited Flights Operating: Travelers should only proceed to the airport if Emirates has contacted them directly to confirm that their specific flight is operating as scheduled.
Cancellation Emails: Passengers who have received formal flight cancellation notices are advised not to travel to the airport and instead check the airline’s official travel advisory for the most current information.
Upcoming Flights: Emirates will contact passengers directly if their scheduled flight is confirmed to be operating.

The airline has introduced flexible rebooking options for travelers impacted by these ongoing disruptions. Passengers whose tickets were originally booked between February 28 and March 31 can reschedule their travel without incurring any change fees for journeys completed on or before April 30. This rebooking must be processed through the airline’s official call centre or via an authorized travel agent.

Furthermore, customers whose flights were cancelled, or who booked travel between February 28 and March 31, may also request full refunds through the dedicated Emirates refund form or by coordinating with their travel agent.

Etihad Airways Restores Limited Services

Etihad Airways has similarly resumed a limited flight schedule operating from Abu Dhabi to several key international destinations. The airline has explicitly stated that passengers should only travel if they have a confirmed booking or have been contacted directly by the airline with flight confirmation.

Flights are currently operating to numerous global destinations until March 19, including major cities such as Amsterdam, Athens, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Bengaluru, Boston, Brussels, Cairo, Chicago, Colombo, Copenhagen, Delhi, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Jeddah, Karachi, Kochi, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Madrid, Malé, Manchester, Manila, Melbourne, Milan, Moscow, Mumbai, Munich, Muscat, Nairobi, New York (JFK), Paris, Phuket, Riyadh, Rome, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Washington, and Zurich, among others.

However, Etihad has clarified that not all listed destinations operate on a daily basis, and all flights remain subject to operational approvals and prevailing regional airspace conditions, which are subject to change.

Passenger Guidance from Etihad

Etihad Airways has provided detailed guidance for passengers planning their journeys during this period:

Check the official flight status on etihad.com before traveling to the airport.
Ensure contact details in all bookings are updated to receive timely notifications.
Rebooking Flexibility: Tickets issued on or before February 28, 2026, for travel up to March 21, 2026, can be rebooked free of charge for travel completed until May 15, 2026.
Refunds: Passengers with flights scheduled until March 21 may request refunds through the airline’s official refund form or via their travel agent.
Avoid unnecessary visits to the airport unless the flight has been explicitly confirmed by the airline.

As the regional situation continues to evolve, both airlines have urgently advised travelers to rely exclusively on official airline communications and to regularly check for flight updates before heading to the airport to prevent inconvenience and ensure smooth travel arrangements.