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Dubai Airports has announced a limited resumption of flights starting Monday evening, three days after a total suspension of operations caused by unprecedented Iranian strikes across the Gulf.
The reopening affects both Dubai International (DXB)—the world’s second-busiest airport—and Dubai World Central (DWC).
While major carriers like Emirates and flydubai have confirmed they will begin operating a restricted schedule immediately, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has opted for a more cautious approach, scheduling its restart for Tuesday.
The restart follows a period of intense regional instability that shattered the Gulf’s long-standing reputation as a haven.
بدء تشغيل رØلات استثنائية بمطارات الدولة.
يرجى عدم التوجه للمطار إلا بعد تواصل شركة الطيران معكم وتأكيد موعد رØلتكم لضمان انسيابية الإجراءات.Exceptional flights are now operating at UAE airports.
Do not proceed to the airport until your airline contacts you with confirmed… pic.twitter.com/AVv8mMqVcc— الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني (@gcaauae) March 2, 2026
Since Saturday, Iranian forces have targeted both military and civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, luxury hotels, and major transport hubs.
In a rare admission of civilian impact, authorities confirmed at least one fatality following a strike at an Abu Dhabi aviation facility.
The attacks forced the United Arab Emirates to “temporarily and partially” shut its airspace as an emergency precautionary measure, leaving thousands of international travellers stranded.
The three-day grounding has dealt a significant blow to the local economy, as the aviation industry accounts for nearly one-third of Dubai’s GDP.
Beyond the UAE, airports in Kuwait and Manama were also targeted, highlighting the broad geographic reach of the current conflict.
The closure of these vital transit hubs has disrupted global travel chains, particularly for long-haul routes connecting Europe, Asia, and the Americas that rely on the Middle East as a primary layover point.
Despite the partial reopening, the situation remains highly volatile.
Airport officials have warned passengers not to travel to terminals unless they have received direct confirmation from their airlines, as many scheduled flights remain cancelled or delayed.
As the region navigates this fragile return to activity, the focus remains on whether civilian corridors can be maintained safely amidst the ongoing military exchange between the U.S.-Israeli coalition and Iran.
