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Emirates, Etihad Resume Limited Dubai Flights After Regional Conflict Disruption

Emirates and Etihad Airways have announced a phased restart of a limited number of flights from Dubai airports following a closure prompted by regional hostilities. The airlines are prioritizing customers with earlier bookings and will contact passengers directly, urging others not to proceed to the airport. The partial reopening comes after widespread airspace closures across the Gulf due to missile and drone strikes linked to escalating conflict between Iran and a US-Israel alliance. The disruption at major transit hubs like Dubai left thousands of passengers stranded and severely impacted global flight networks.

Key Points: Emirates, Etihad Restart Limited Dubai Flights Post-Closure

  • Limited flight resumption after closure
  • Prioritizing earlier bookings
  • No timeline for full restoration
  • Closure due to regional missile strikes
2 min read

Emirates, Etihad resume limited flights from Dubai airport

UAE airlines Emirates and Etihad resume limited flights from Dubai after airspace closures due to Iran-US-Israel conflict disrupted global travel hubs.

"Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified. - Emirates statement"

New Delhi, March 2

UAE-based airlines Emirates and Etihad Airways announced on Monday that they will start operating a limited number of flights from the evening, after Dubai Airports confirmed a partial resumption of operations after the airport was closed due to the outbreak of hostilities between the US-Israel alliance and Iran.

Emirates said it will prioritise customers with earlier bookings as it restarts services in phases. The airline will contact passengers who have been rebooked onto these limited flights directly. "Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified," it said in a statement.

The Dubai-based airline said that all other flights remain suspended until further notice. It said it continues to monitor the situation and will adjust its operational schedule accordingly. Updates will be published on emirates.com and its official social media channels. "We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience," the airline said, adding that the safety and security of passengers.

Meanwhile, Etihad will conduct some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights "in coordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals", the airline said in a statement.

However, authorities have not provided a timeline for full restoration of normal operations.

Dubai Airports said a small number of flights will be permitted to operate from Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC) starting Sunday evening. However, the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said: "Exceptional flights are now operating at UAE airports. Do not proceed to the airport until your airline contacts you with confirmed flight details to ensure a smooth process for all."

The partial reopening comes after widespread airspace closures across the Gulf region due to missile and drone strikes linked to escalating conflict. Several Gulf airports reported damage over the weekend as Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones against US bases in the Gulf countries in retaliatory fire. Airlines were forced to ground operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, which constitute key transit hubs for global flights between the West and the East.

Dubai International, the world's busiest international hub, had halted regular operations amid safety concerns. The closure disrupted global flight networks, as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways operate hub-and-spoke models that connect long-haul traffic between Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas through the Gulf.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is a huge relief for so many Indians who transit through Dubai. DXB is like a second home airport for us. The authorities are handling it well by asking people not to crowd the airport. Safety first, always.
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Arjun K
While I'm glad operations are restarting, I'm concerned about the "no timeline for full restoration." This conflict is affecting global travel, and we in India feel the impact directly. Our government should also have contingency plans for such events.
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Sarah B
Working in travel from Mumbai, this closure caused absolute chaos for client itineraries. A phased restart is the only sensible way. Kudos to Emirates for clear communication. Hope other airlines learn from this.
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Vikram M
The economic ripple effect is massive. So much cargo and perishable goods from India get routed through Dubai. Limited flights mean limited recovery. Let's hope the situation de-escalates completely soon for the sake of regional stability and trade.
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Kavya N
My father was supposed to fly back from London via Dubai yesterday. Now we are just waiting for that call from the airline. The anxiety is real for families. Good to see repatriation flights are part of the plan.

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