UAE Flight Status Update: Limited Services Operating on March 7; Rebooking and Refund Options Available Air travel across the United Arab Emirates faced partial disruptions on March 7 as airlines operated only limited flights due to widespread airspace closures in the Middle East. The restrictions, triggered by escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, led several regional countries to close or restrict their airspace, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute thousands of flights. Major carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia resumed restricted operations, prioritizing stranded passengers while offering flexible rebooking and refund options. Travelers are advised to check flight status before heading to airports, as schedules continue to change rapidly. Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah remained open but operated with a limited number of flights. Most scheduled services were suspended, with regional airspace restrictions affecting aviation routes across the Middle East. Dubai, one of the world’s busiest transit hubs, was particularly impacted by the disruptions. Authorities allowed only a limited number of passenger flights, along with cargo, repatriation, and repositioning services. Passengers are urged not to proceed to airports unless their airline confirms their flight is operating. A table detailing the operational status of major airlines showed varying levels of service. Emirates restored 60% of its network, operating 106 flights to 83 cities, with rebooking deadlines set for April 30. Etihad Airways limited its resumption, serving 25+ international destinations, with rebooking available until May 15. flydubai reduced its schedule, accepting transits only for operating flights, with rebooking deadlines by March 31.#united_arab_emirates #emirates #etihad_airways #flydubai #air_arabia
Iran War: UAE Launches Exceptional Flights to Assist Stranded Passengers The United Arab Emirates has initiated exceptional flights to help passengers stranded due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The first flight from Abu Dhabi departed on Monday, March 2, marking the first commercial departure since Iran’s retaliatory strikes disrupted airspace in the region. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that these flights are being operated to ensure the safe evacuation of affected travelers. Etihad Airways flight EY67, bound for London Heathrow, took off from Zayed International Airport at 2:39 pm local time (11:39 am CET) on March 2, arriving at 7:16 pm GMT (8:16 pm CET). The GCAA stated that these exceptional flights are not available for booking, with airlines contacting passengers directly to provide details. Only those notified should proceed to the airport. Over a dozen Etihad flights left Abu Dhabi on March 2 for destinations including Amsterdam, Paris, Moscow, Mumbai, Delhi, and Riyadh. Emirates also began operating exceptional flights to London, Manchester, Paris, Amsterdam, and Jeddah, prioritizing passengers with earlier bookings. Flights to Europe are rerouted through Oman and Saudi Arabia, as both countries have kept their airspace open despite cancellations on some routes to Dubai, Doha, and Kuwait. Regular commercial flights on Emirates are suspended until 11:59 pm local time (9:59 pm CET) on March 4, while Etihad Airways has extended its suspension until 2 pm local time (12 pm CET) on March 5. The conflict has caused widespread travel disruptions across the Middle East. Qatar Airways confirmed its airspace is closed, with an update expected by 9 am local time (7 am CET) on March 4.#emirates #etihad_airways #united_arab_emirates #qatar_airways #gcaa
Etihad Airways suspends Abu Dhabi flights until March 3 amid regional airspace closures Etihad Airways has suspended all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 14:00 UAE time on Tuesday, 3 March, due to ongoing regional airspace closures. The airline confirmed that the temporary suspension is a result of airspace restrictions affecting the area. Operations will resume only once all safety criteria are met. Passengers affected by the flight cancellations have been advised to check their flight status on the airline’s official website before heading to the airport. They are also encouraged to ensure their contact details are up to date in their booking to receive the latest notifications. Travelers with Etihad tickets issued on or before 28 February 2026, with original travel dates up to 7 March 2026, may rebook free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights up to 18 March 2026. Those booked on flights scheduled until 7 March may request a full refund through the airline’s online refund form or via their travel agent. Passengers who booked through travel agents are advised to contact their agents directly for assistance. The airline is currently experiencing a high volume of calls and has asked customers to be patient, noting that response times may be longer than usual. Guests seeking refunds are encouraged to use the online refund request form to avoid delays. Etihad emphasized that safety remains its absolute priority and that operations will only resume once the situation stabilizes and all operational safety requirements are fully met. The disruption comes amid wider flight suspensions and rerouting by several carriers operating in and out of the Gulf region, as evolving airspace conditions continue to impact schedules.#flight_cancellations #airspace_closures #etihad_airways #gulf_region #abu_dhabi
Travel Chaos Worsens as Iran Conflict Shuts Key Mideast Airports Travel disruptions intensified across the Middle East and beyond on Monday as airlines in the Persian Gulf suspended flights due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, leading to significant delays and cancellations at major airports. The crisis sent airline stocks plummeting, reflecting growing concerns over the impact of the escalating tensions on global travel networks. Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, announced it would halt all operations to and from Dubai until 3 p.m. local time on Monday, with warnings of ongoing disruptions through Thursday. Etihad Airways extended its flight cancellations until 2 p.m. on the same day, while Qatar Airways suspended flights to and from Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. These measures left passengers stranded and caused widespread confusion at some of the busiest airports in the region. The situation unfolded against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, with the conflict in the Middle East disrupting critical transportation hubs. Erbil International Airport in Iraq, for example, saw a plume of smoke rising near its premises on March 1, underscoring the immediate and visible impact of the crisis on infrastructure and operations. The ripple effects of the disruptions extended far beyond the region, affecting international travel routes and prompting airlines to reassess their schedules. With key airports in the Persian Gulf forced to close or limit operations, travelers faced uncertainty as airlines scrambled to manage the fallout. The financial markets also reacted swiftly, with airline stocks dropping sharply as investors anticipated prolonged disruptions and potential losses.#persian_gulf #etihad_airways #emirates_airlines #qatar_airways #erbil_international_airport
GCC targeted by Iranian strikes: Etihad Airways extends flight suspension for day 3 Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways suspended flights for the third consecutive day on Monday due to ongoing military conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The airline announced that all flights to and from Abu Dhabi would remain suspended until 2 p.m. UAE time on Tuesday, March 3, citing continued regional airspace closures. Passengers with tickets issued on or before February 28, 2026, and travel dates up to March 7, 2026, were informed they could rebook free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights until March 18, 2026. The airline also noted a high volume of customer inquiries, urging patience as call centers experienced delays. According to data from a global aviation analytics firm, over 2,000 inbound flights were canceled across Gulf and Middle East countries as of 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday. This represents nearly 50% of all scheduled flights in the region. The firm explained that the number of canceled flights is roughly double the number of scheduled flights, as aircraft typically return to their home bases every 24 hours. It estimated that approximately 900,000 seats per day are planned to fly to the Middle East from abroad and within the region. The firm, Cirium, highlighted that airspace closures in several Middle Eastern countries have led to a cancellation rate of 100% for some nations. However, it noted that some airlines have not officially updated their schedules to reflect cancellations or have simply not operated the flights. The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing tensions, with Iranian strikes targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Other airlines operating in the region, including Emirates and flydubai, have also extended their flight suspensions for the third day.#iran #united_states #israel #etihad_airways #gulf_cooperation_council
Etihad Airways has suspended all departures from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport until 2:00 p.m. UAE time on March 1, 2026, amid escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The decision follows a series of military strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces on Iranian targets, which have triggered retaliatory missile attacks and widespread airspace closures across the Middle East. The airline warned that no outbound flights will depart Abu Dhabi during the suspension period, while arrivals scheduled before the cutoff will be cancelled. Flights expected after 2:00 p.m. may operate if conditions permit, though the situation remains highly uncertain. The suspension is part of a broader regional response to the conflict, as airspace restrictions have forced multiple Gulf carriers to halt operations or divert flights. Airports in Dubai, Doha, and other Middle Eastern hubs have also suspended services, leaving passengers stranded and facing last-minute changes to their travel plans. Etihad emphasized that passenger and crew safety is its top priority, citing the heightened risks posed by active military operations and air defense systems. The airline is coordinating with national authorities to monitor conditions and resume normal operations once the situation stabilizes. Passengers affected by the suspension are being contacted for rebooking options, refunds, or hotel accommodations, though support varies depending on booking details. Those with connecting flights via Abu Dhabi may be denied boarding if their onward segments are cancelled, requiring them to seek alternative arrangements. Etihad urged travellers to check their flight status regularly through the airline’s official channels before heading to the airport.#iran #united_states #israel #etihad_airways #zayed_international_airport
