Etihad, Emirates and flydubai restart flights as Gulf airspace slowly reopens
March 6, 2026
After nearly a week of widespread disruption caused by US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the resulting regional airspace closures, several airlines have begun cautiously restarting flights across the Middle East.
The United Arab Emirates has partially reopened its airspace, allowing airlines to operate limited flights under controlled “safe air corridors.”
The recovery remains uneven. Some Gulf carriers are operating reduced schedules from major hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while others remain grounded as airspace restrictions persist in parts of the region.
Here are the airlines that have announced flight resumptions or expanded operations today, and what they have said about the restart.
Etihad restarts limited commercial flights from Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways confirmed it has restarted a limited commercial flight schedule from 6 March, marking one of the clearest signs of recovery in the region.
The airline said the services will operate between Abu Dhabi and major international destinations, including cities in Europe, Asia and North America such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York and Toronto.
According to Etihad, the flights will run on a reduced timetable until at least 19 March, while the airline continues to assess safety conditions and airspace availability.
In an operational update, the carrier said it had resumed flights to around 70 destinations worldwide, although schedules may change at short notice depending on the security situation.
Emirates rebuilding flight network from Dubai
Dubai-based Emirates has also restarted flights, though the airline is currently operating a reduced network while airspace restrictions remain in place.
Following the partial re-opening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule while working to restore full network operations.
— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 6, 2026
✈️ Flights to these destinations are currently operating: https://t.co/A2RdND1Gjr.
🎫 Customers can check availability and… pic.twitter.com/CsXg1RBhBq
The carrier said it is currently running flights to around 82 destinations, with connecting passengers only accepted if their onward flights are confirmed to operate. By tomorrow, 7 March, Emirates says it will have 106 daily return flights operating to 83 destinations, representing almost 60% of its route network.
Emirates has indicated the recovery could accelerate quickly if conditions continue to improve. The airline said it expects to restore 100% of its Dubai route network “within days”, subject to airspace availability and operational requirements.
Despite the restart, the airline warned that schedules remain fluid and passengers should check flight status before travelling.
flydubai resumes flights with reduced schedule
Low-cost carrier flydubai has also resumed flights from Dubai as part of the gradual reopening of UAE airspace.
The airline said it is operating a reduced schedule across parts of its network, with additional flights expected to be added as restrictions ease.
Earlier in the crisis, flydubai had limited operations to repatriation and cargo flights. The airline’s latest update signals a move back towards regular passenger services, albeit with fewer frequencies than normal.
Indian airlines restart selected Middle East flights
Several Indian carriers have also started restoring flights.
According to airline updates and aviation reports, Air India and IndiGo have begun reinstating selected services to Middle Eastern destinations, while also adding extra flights to help repatriate passengers stranded by the airspace closures.
Air India said its operations are being restored gradually and remain under daily review, depending on safety assessments and operational conditions.
Qatar Airways flights remain suspended as airspace stays closed
Not all carriers have restarted operations.
Qatar Airways said its scheduled flights remain temporarily suspended as Qatari airspace is still closed. The airline said it will only resume services once the national aviation authority declares the airspace safe to reopen.
The airline has instead been organising relief flights from other regional airports to help stranded passengers leave the region.
Middle East flights slowly restarting after airspace closures
The resumption of flights marks the first stage of recovery for one of the world’s most important aviation hubs.
Dubai International Airport normally handles thousands of flights every day and acts as a key transfer point between Europe, Asia and Africa. During the height of the disruption, operations at some Gulf airports dropped to a fraction of normal capacity.
Even with flights restarting, airlines warn that rebuilding schedules will take time. Aircraft and crews are currently scattered across multiple continents, and tightly coordinated hub networks have been disrupted.
As a result, the return of flights this week signals the beginning of recovery, rather than a full return to normal operations.
Featured image: kamilpetran | Adobe Stock
