Limited Flight Operations Resume in UAE
Abu Dhabi — Civil aviation operations have begun resuming in part at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi from the evening of Monday, 2 March 2026 on a phased and limited basis, conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and airlines following previous closure due to escalation of tensions in the Middle East region.
Based on Flightradar24 monitoring in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, several flights have begun being scheduled, although flight status remains subject to change.
Monitoring of flight data available to the public through Flightradar24 indicates that at least 15 Etihad passenger aircraft departed from Abu Dhabi within approximately three hours after partial resumption of operations. Some other sources cite the figure reaching 16 flights in that initial period, whilst other reports noted at least eight flights had departed since 14.00 local time on the reopening day.
Similar steps have also been taken in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Dubai Airports and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) have confirmed that limited operations commenced on Monday evening.
A small number of flights have been permitted to operate from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
Previously, numerous flights were cancelled or delayed due to partial closure of UAE airspace as a precautionary measure amid developments in the regional security situation.
To allay passenger concerns, major airlines of the United Arab Emirates have provided refund options and rescheduling for those affected.
Assisting stranded passengers
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) stated that the resumption of flight operations aims to assist passengers stranded since airport closure.
Airlines will announce the latest schedules directly to affected passengers, including destination details and departure times. GCAA has urged passengers not to proceed to airports before receiving official notification from their respective airlines. Compliance with these instructions is deemed important to ensure smooth procedures and operational order amid the still-developing situation.
For its part, Emirates confirmed beginning to operate a limited number of flights from Monday evening.
The Dubai-based airline stated it will prioritise customers with earlier bookings and passengers who have been rescheduled, who will be contacted directly.
Repatriation flights
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways stated that repatriation and cargo flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities. However, regular scheduled flights remain suspended due to military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
One flight reported as successfully departing was Etihad EY216, which took off from Abu Dhabi at 15:42 local time and landed in New Delhi at 20:31 Indian local time. This flight carried passengers previously affected by travel disruption.
This movement marks the beginning of recovery in civil aviation activity in the United Arab Emirates following several days of disruption due to escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. Nevertheless, authorities have stressed that operations remain limited in nature and the situation may change according to regional security developments.
The Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE, Judha Nugraha, has urged Indonesian nationals affected by tensions in the Middle East and still stranded in the UAE to continue coordinating with the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Indonesian Consulate General in Dubai and periodically check flight schedule updates with their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport, to avoid congestion and confusion at terminals.
“Authorities have emphasised that compliance with issued instructions is crucial to support smooth procedures and operational order,” he said.
The GCAA previously announced temporary closure of airspace as a security mitigation measure from 28 February 2026.
Several other Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria have also reportedly closed their airspace.
Tensions in the Middle East region were triggered by combined air strikes by the United States and Israel against Teheran and other cities in Iran on Saturday morning (28 February) local time.
As a result of the strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several family members, senior military commanders, and civilians were killed.
Iran subsequently responded with several waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US military bases throughout the Middle East.