Dubai Airports begins limited operations as airlines resume select services amid crisis
Dubai, March 2
Dubai Airports began limited operations this evening as several international carriers announced the gradual resumption of select services, even as broader suspensions remain in place across parts of the Middle East due to ongoing airspace restrictions triggered by escalating regional tensions.
Dubai Airports had confirmed that a limited number of flights will resume from the evening of March 2 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). However, passengers have been strictly advised not to travel to the airport unless directly contacted by their airline with a confirmed departure time, said the Dubai media office in a post on X.
Emirates said it will begin operating a limited number of flights from the evening of March 2, prioritising customers with earlier bookings.
"Emirates will begin operating a limited number of flights commencing on the evening of 2 March. We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates. Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified. All other flights remain suspended until further notice. Emirates continues to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly. Updates will be published on http://emirates.com and our official social media channels. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority," the airline wrote on X
Akasa Air announced that its flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh remain suspended until March 3. The airline in a post on X said that it is offering full refunds or free rescheduling for eligible bookings made until March 7, with refunds processed within seven days. It has urged passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport.
Oman Air cancelled all flights on March 3 to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen and Baghdad due to ongoing airspace closures. Other flights are operating as scheduled, though delays are expected.
"Due to ongoing regional airspace closures, the following flights have been cancelled: Tuesday, 3 March 2026: All flights to and from Amman (AMM), Dubai (DXB), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Dammam (DMM), Kuwait (KWI), Copenhagen (CPH), and Baghdad (BGW). All other flights are operating as scheduled; however, some delays may be expected. The safety and well-being of our guests and crew remain our highest priority. We are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the appropriate authorities and will continue to share updates here and on our website. Guests can manage their booking via our website and mobile app. omanair.com/manage-bookings We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time," the airline said.
Meanwhile, Air India Express will resume operations to and from Muscat from March 3, with services to Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai and Tiruchirappalli. However, flights to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain suspended until late March 3.
The disruptions follow US-Israel joint military strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions, leading to widespread airspace restrictions across West Asia.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see a phased restart. Safety first, absolutely. But the communication from some airlines has been poor. My Air India Express flight to Muscat was cancelled yesterday with only an SMS 4 hours before. They need better systems for such crises.
As someone who travels frequently to the Gulf for work, this disruption is a major headache for project timelines. Glad to see operations resuming, even if limited. The geopolitical fallout is hitting ordinary people the hardest.
So many Indian workers depend on these Gulf routes. Hope the governments are coordinating to bring everyone home safely. The full refund and rescheduling policy from Akasa Air is a good step. Other airlines should match it.
The root cause is the escalating tensions. While resuming flights is necessary, we need lasting diplomatic solutions. The region's stability is crucial for global trade and for millions of Indian expats. Jai Hind.
It's a logistical nightmare, but the prioritization of earlier bookings by Emirates seems fair. Patience is key. The airlines and airport staff must be under immense pressure. Let's all follow instructions and not add to the confusion.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.