UAE lifts all flight restrictions as Dubai airspace returns normal
The United Arab Emirates lifted all flight restrictions tied to the war on Iran on Saturday, and air operations returned to normal status in Dubai airspace and across the country. The General Civil Aviation Authority said it acted after a comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions with relevant authorities.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Dubai and Abu Dhabi had been operating under restrictions since late February, when the UAE declared a temporary and partial closure of its airspace at the start of the conflict. The reopening gives airlines and passengers a clearer operating picture after weeks of changes across a region where more than 11,000 flights in and out were cancelled in the opening days of the conflict.
The disruption also forced at least eight states to announce full or partial airspace closures. In the UAE, the authority said it would continue monitoring the situation after restoring normal operations.
March Traffic in UAE
The UAE began a gradual reopening in March, and between March 1 and March 12 its airports handled 1.4 million passengers and recorded 7,839 air traffic movements. During that partial resumption, national carriers recovered to 44.6 percent of normal levels.
Emirates and flydubai had temporarily halted all operations, while Etihad suspended all departures from Abu Dhabi. The changes hit long-haul routes across the Middle East, including traffic through Dubai, which is home to the world’s busiest airport for international passengers.
Qatar Airways Plans
Qatar Airways said it would resume flights to three Iraqi cities from May 10. The airline had previously announced plans to serve more than 150 destinations across six continents from mid-June, a schedule that adds another sign of how carriers are adjusting as regional airspace reopens.
For travelers booked through Dubai, the practical shift is immediate: the UAE has restored normal air operations, and airlines can plan against a regular airspace status instead of temporary limits set during the conflict.
