Kamal Ghorui
Amid ongoing regional developments affecting aviation across the Middle East, airlines in the United Arab Emirates are currently operating a limited number of flights. Authorities and airlines have always maintained that passengers need to travel only if they have confirmed bookings and to check the latest updates before heading to the airport. Airlines say the situation remains dynamic as regional airspace restrictions and security considerations continue to influence flight schedules. Officials emphasised that the safety of passengers and crew remains the highest priority while operations gradually stabilise.
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Emirates operating reduced schedule
Dubai-based airline Emirates has resumed a reduced flight schedule following the partial reopening of regional airspace. The airline advised travellers, particularly those transiting through Dubai, to carefully check their flight status before travelling.Passengers are advised to monitor updates through email notifications, the official website of the airline, and travel advisories on emirates.com. If your travel plans are affected, you can try doing these:Missed rebooking: Passengers who booked directly with Emirates should contact the airline, while those who booked through agents should reach out to their travel agent. Limited flights operating: Travellers should go to the airport only if Emirates has contacted them to confirm that their flight is operating. Rebooking can be done through the airline’s call centre or via travel agents.
Cancellation emails: Passengers who have received cancellation notices are advised not to travel to the airport and instead check the airline’s travel advisory for the latest information. Upcoming flights: Emirates will contact passengers directly if their scheduled flight is operating. The airline has also introduced flexible options for travellers impacted by disruptions. Passengers whose tickets were booked between February 28 and March 31 can reschedule their travel without change fees for journeys on or before April 30. Rebooking must be done via the airline’s call centre or travel agent. Customers whose flights were cancelled, or who booked travel between February 28 and March 31, may also request full refunds through the Emirates refund form or their travel agent.Read more: Dubai airports update: Flights restart but full schedules yet to return; passengers advised to confirm flights
Etihad airways restores limited services
Etihad Airways has also resumed a limited flight schedule from Abu Dhabi to several international destinations. The airline said passengers should travel only if they have a confirmed booking or have been contacted directly.
Flights are currently operating to numerous destinations worldwide until March 19, including 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, the airline noted that not all destinations operate daily, and flights remain subject to operational approvals and regional airspace conditions.Read more: Why are dozens of shoes lying abandoned along the Danube? Who do they belong to?
Passenger guidance from Etihad
Etihad has advised passengers to follow several precautions while planning their journey: Check flight status on etihad.com before travellingEnsure contact details in bookings are updated to receive notificationsRebooking flexibility: Tickets issued on or before February 28, 2026, for travel up to March 21, 2026, can be rebooked free of charge for travel until May 15, 2026Refunds: Passengers with flights scheduled until March 21 may request refunds through the airline’s refund form or via their travel agent Avoid unnecessary airport visits unless the flight has been confirmed As the regional situation continues to evolve, airlines have urged travellers to rely on official airline communications and regularly check flight updates before heading to the airport.
