At the Dubai International Airport. ARCHIVE

UAE airports began a limited and carefully managed resumption of flights on Monday evening (March 2) after a temporary partial shutdown triggered by regional airspace disruptions. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced the commencement of exceptional flight operations across the country. The move allows stranded passengers affected by recent developments to depart, in line with schedules to be communicated directly by airlines. Airports across the UAE had suspended operations on Saturday afternoon (February 28) following missile and drone launches by Iran, after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets sparked regional retaliation. UAE air defence systems intercepted hundreds of incoming projectiles over two days, with debris reported in parts of the country. Authorities stressed that the situation remains under control.

Do not go to the airport without confirmation

The GCAA urged passengers whose flights were impacted not to proceed to airports unless they have been contacted by their airline with confirmed flight details. The authority said this step is necessary to avoid congestion and ensure smooth processing during the phased resumption of operations. It also thanked passengers for their cooperation, stressing that following official instructions plays a central role in maintaining orderly airport operations. Dubai Airports confirmed that a limited number of flights would operate from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) starting Monday evening. Travellers were advised not to head to the airport unless they have received direct communication from their airline with a confirmed departure time. Sharjah International Airport Authority also announced the resumption of limited flights from Sharjah International Airport effective Monday evening (March 2).  The airport management urges travelers to contact their airline to confirm departure times before heading to the airport.

Emirates, FlyDubai to operate limited flights

Emirates and FlyDubai said it will begin operating a limited number of flights starting Monday evening (March 2), prioritising customers with earlier bookings. The airlines said passengers rebooked on these limited flights will be contacted directly. All other Emirates flights to and from Dubai are temporarily suspended until 3pm UAE time on Tuesday (March 3). “Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified,” Emirates said, adding that all other flights remain suspended until further notice. All other flights to and from Dubai are temporarily suspended until 3pm UAE time on Tuesday (March 3), the airline confirmed. Emirates said it continues to monitor the situation and will adjust its operational schedule accordingly, with updates posted on its official website and social media channels. For customers booked to travel on or before March 5, Emirates is offering the following options: Rebook on an alternate flight for travel on or before March 20, or request a full refund. Passengers who booked through travel agents must contact their agents directly for rebooking or refunds. Those who booked directly with Emirates can use the airline’s online support and refund forms. Customers are also advised to ensure their contact details are updated in the “Manage Booking” section to receive timely notifications. All city check-in points across Dubai are temporarily closed until further notice. Emirates said it is actively monitoring the situation in coordination with relevant authorities. “The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority,” the airline said.

Etihad extends flight suspensions

Etihad Airways announced that regional airspace closures continue to affect its operations, with all flights to and from Abu Dhabi suspended until 2pm UAE time on Tuesday (March 3). Guests due to travel are advised to check their flight status online before heading to the airport and to ensure their contact details are up to date. Passengers holding Etihad tickets issued on or before February 28, with original travel dates up to March 7, may rebook free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights up to March 18. Guests scheduled to travel until March 7 may also request a full refund online or through their travel agent. The airline said it is currently experiencing a high volume of calls and asked for patience, encouraging customers seeking refunds to use the online request form. “Safety remains our absolute priority, and services will operate only once all safety criteria are met,” Etihad said.

What travellers should do now

For UAE residents and visitors, the message from authorities and airlines is clear: wait for official confirmation before heading to the airport. Exceptional flights are now operating, but only for passengers who have been directly contacted and rebooked. Travellers are urged to: • Check airline websites for the latest updates • Monitor email and SMS notifications • Avoid going to the airport without confirmed flight details Authorities continue to assess the situation closely in coordination with relevant entities, with passenger safety and smooth airport operations as the top priorities. CAM/ICA/Expat Media
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