UAE allows limited resumption of flights from airports

2026-03-03 - 08:34

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced the commencement of exceptional flights from the country’s airports to facilitate the departure of stranded passengers affected by regional events. These flights will operate according to schedules set to be announced by the airlines to the affected passengers and their destinations. In a statement issued Monday evening, the GCAA urged passengers whose flights have been affected not to go to the airports until they are contacted and informed of flight schedules and details by the airlines. This measure aims to avoid overcrowding and ensure smooth procedures. The GCAA expressed its appreciation for the cooperation of passengers, emphasizing that adherence to the issued instructions is crucial to avoid overcrowding and ensure the smooth operation of flights. Etihad Airways told Reuters earlier that it had resumed some flights on Monday, as airlines around the world and in the Middle East struggled to cope with the disruptions caused by the escalating conflict with Iran that began on Saturday. “Some repositioning, cargo, and evacuation flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and security approvals,” Etihad said in a statement to Reuters, adding that all scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remained canceled. The Israeli and US attacks on Iran, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes led to the closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, and major airports such as those in Dubai and Doha.