UAE airspace fully reopens as flights set to surge back after months of Middle East disruption

By Saskia O'Donoghue Published on 04/05/2026 - 13:11 GMT+2•Updated 14:20 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp

The UAE has restored full air operations after months of disruption caused by the US-Israel conflict with Iran, marking a major step towards recovery for regional travel and key hubs, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Flights are back on track in the United Arab Emirates.

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After months of disruption tied to the United States’ conflict with Iran, the country has lifted all airspace restrictions, restoring normal operations across its major hubs.

The UAE’s Civil Aviation Authority says all air operations have returned to “normal status” across its airspace.

“Following a comprehensive evaluation of operational and security conditions, we have officially lifted the temporary precautionary measures previously in place,” the General Civil Aviation Authority wrote on X, adding that it would continue monitoring the situation as and when it changes.

For travellers passing through Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it signals a return to smoother journeys – and a key turning point for aviation across the region.

Large UAE hubs, including Dubai, which is home to the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, and Abu Dhabi, have been operating under strict restrictions since February, when the conflict began.

Since the war broke out, disruption to aviation has been significant across the Middle East, with retaliatory Iranian strikes on countries throughout the Gulf forcing the shutdown of much of the region’s airspace.

Throughout the conflict, at least eight states had to announce full or partial airspace closures, which has meant that the number of routes between Europe and Asia with stops at Gulf airports has been severely restricted.

A new start for the UAE’s aviation operators

Etihad suspended all departures from Abu Dhabi, while Dubai-based carriers Emirates and flydubai temporarily halted all of their operations.

In a statement, Dubai Airports welcomed the announcement.

“With airspace within the UAE now fully restored, Dubai Airports is moving decisively to scale up operations, increasing flight movements in line with available regional routing capacity,” the body wrote.

For airlines and airports, as well as passengers, the decision won’t have come a minute too soon.

According to UK-based aviation data firm Cirium, more than 11,000 flights in and out of the region were cancelled in the first few days of the conflict alone.

In March, there was a gradual reopening, and Dubai’s national carriers were able to get their operations up to 44.6% of normal levels.

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