UAE resumes limited flights amid travel chaos across Middle East
Al Jazeera
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The United Arab Emirates has begun resuming a limited number of flights in response to the ongoing travel disruption caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports have relaxed restrictions, allowing some flights to operate despite widespread chaos across the Middle East. This move comes as hundreds of thousands remain stranded, with over 11,000 flights canceled since the conflict started.
Dubai's airport authority permitted a small number of flights from Dubai International and Dubai World Central, prioritizing passengers with confirmed bookings. Emirates airline resumed limited operations on Monday evening, giving priority to those already booked. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways suspended commercial flights until Wednesday but allowed special cargo and repatriation flights. At least 16 Etihad flights departed from Abu Dhabi to destinations like London, Amsterdam, Moscow, and Riyadh.
The broader impact of the conflict is significant, affecting major east-west air corridors and causing a ripple effect across global travel. Countries including Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain have closed their airspace, further complicating regional travel. This has led governments like Germany's to arrange chartered flights for evacuations.
Tony Stanton,
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on Al Jazeera on 3/3/2026