UAE airlines like Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia partially resume flights on March 3, 2026, but many scheduled services remain cancelled due to regional airspace issues.
Dubai, UAE – Major UAE carriers including Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia began partial flight resumptions on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, after days of widespread suspensions triggered by Middle East airspace closures from US-Iran tensions. While limited operations restarted at key hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, numerous scheduled flights were still cancelled, stranding thousands of passengers.
Emirates and flydubai led with select routes to Europe and Asia back online, prioritizing high-demand connections. Etihad restored some Abu Dhabi departures, and Air Arabia resumed Sharjah services selectively, but flights to conflict zones like Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq stayed grounded until at least March 5. Airlines urged travelers to check apps or emails for real-time status, citing fluid conditions from ongoing Strait of Hormuz risks.
Safety remains the priority, with UAE airspace partially reopened but full recovery pending stabilization. High call volumes and rebooking queues persist, as insurers extend coverage for disruptions. This partial thaw offers relief after a travel blackout, yet underscores aviation’s fragility to geopolitical shocks affecting global routes.
