Airlines Resume Limited Flights
Following significant airspace closures and restrictions across the Middle East, several airlines have commenced limited flight operations. Dubai International
Airport (DXB) is seeing a recovery, with Dubai Airports CEO reporting approximately 40-45% of normal traffic. Emirates has resumed a reduced schedule after a temporary pause. Etihad Airways is operating a limited schedule to 70 destinations until March 31, offering flexible rebooking and refund options for affected passengers. Qatar Airways is also running a constrained number of flights until March 28, utilizing authorized flight corridors. Flydubai has restarted operations with a reduced schedule, advising passengers to confirm flight status before heading to the airport. Air Arabia is operating scheduled flights from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to various international destinations. Air India and Air India Express are set to operate 34 flights on March 20, with many being ad-hoc services.
Key Airlines Suspend Services
Several major international carriers have enacted significant flight suspensions and cancellations affecting Middle East routes. Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until at least April 30, offering ticket waivers for affected travelers. British Airways has suspended all services between London Heathrow and Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv until May 31, with its Doha route slated for reinstatement at the end of April. Gulf Air has indefinitely suspended all inbound, outbound, and transit flights as Bahraini airspace remains closed, though passengers can book transit flights via Dammam. Oman Air has cancelled flights to multiple destinations until March 22. SalamAir has suspended flights to Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran until April 30, with other routes set to resume on March 31. Norwegian has cancelled all flights up to March 20, with further changes possible. KLM has cancelled all flights to Dubai until March 28. Kuwait Airways has placed commercial arrivals and departures on hold at Kuwait International Airport. Air Canada will cease operating flights to Dubai until April 30 and to Tel Aviv until May 2. Virgin Atlantic has ended its London-Dubai service for the season early.
Airspace Status & Advisories
The airspace situation across the Middle East remains dynamic. The United Arab Emirates has partially reopened its airspace, allowing a limited number of flights at DXB and other UAE airports. Qatar has also partially reopened its airspace for repatriation flights. However, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait have closed their airspace, with Kuwait reporting a drone attack that caused minor damage and injuries. Saudi Arabia's airspace is also impacted, though not all flights are grounded. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an advisory to European carriers, recommending they avoid operating in affected airspaces at all altitudes and urging close monitoring of developments.
Impacted Destinations & Traveler Advice
The disruptions are affecting major regional hubs and transit corridors, including Tel Aviv, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Doha. Travelers planning trips to these areas should anticipate potential disruptions such as technical stops for fuel, flight cancellations, and significant schedule shifts. Rerouting may lead to longer flight durations. Airlines are generally offering refunds and flexible rebooking options, though policies differ. It is strongly advised that all travelers check directly with their airlines for the most up-to-date flight information and rebooking procedures before departing for the airport.
