UAE Resumes Limited Flights as Middle East Airspace Closures Disrupt Travel

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Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has resumed a limited number of flights as widespread airspace closures continue to disrupt travel across the Middle East.

Dubai Airports said on Monday it had authorised a “small number” of departures from Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international passengers, as well as from Dubai World Central. Authorities urged passengers not to travel to airports unless they had been directly contacted by their airline with a confirmed departure time.

Dubai-based Emirates announced it would resume a limited number of flights, prioritising customers with existing bookings.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways said commercial operations remain suspended until Wednesday, although some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate subject to safety approvals. According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, at least 16 Etihad flights departed Abu Dhabi on Monday to destinations including London, Amsterdam, Moscow and Riyadh. Emirates flights from Dubai were also recorded landing in Mumbai and Chennai early Tuesday.

However, disruptions persist. Two Etihad flights bound for Abu Dhabi were diverted to Muscat, Oman, while an Emirates flight to Dubai turned back toward Mumbai, flight data showed.

Regional airspace closures have intensified following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory actions. Countries including Iraq, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain have temporarily closed their skies, halting thousands of journeys.