Dubai News: UAE Partial Airspace Closure and Regional Strikes Force Widespread Flight Disruptions
Strikes by Israeli and US forces on Iran have prompted a string of airspace closures across the Middle East and led the UAE to partially close its airspace as a precaution, triggering cancellations and reroutings that are disrupting travel from the Gulf. The moves matter now because carriers have already pulled flights to key Iranian and Iraqi destinations and officials warn the operational impact could extend for multiple days.
Dubai News: Airlines' operational responses
Several major Emirati carriers announced adjustments to schedules after the regional restrictions were enforced. Emirates said regional airspace closures disrupted "several" of its flights and that it is engaging with authorities while adjusting operations. FlyDubai stated it is working to minimise disruption, with affected services being rerouted, returned to stand or cancelled; the airline has asked passengers to keep their contact details updated and to check flight status. Air Arabia posted that flights to Iran, Iraq and other parts of the region were cancelled on Saturday (Feb 28) and warned that additional services may be rerouted or delayed while it notifies impacted customers.
The cumulative effect is concrete: Dubai Airport listed cancellations and delays on flights from Dubai to Iranian cities such as Tehran, Mashhad and Bandar Abbas, and to Iraqi cities including Najaf, Erbil and Basra. Alternative flight paths have been arranged for routes to the Arabian Gulf, but authorities note those detours will increase flight times because of longer distances.
UAE partial airspace closure and regional government actions
The UAE implemented a partial closure of its airspace as a precautionary measure after Israeli strikes on Iran and a simultaneous campaign by the US military. Israel also closed its public airspace and ordered schools and workplaces shut except for essential sectors, while Iran closed its airspace following the strikes. Iraq’s transport ministry closed national airspace in response to the escalation. National aviation authorities across the region moved quickly: Oman Air temporarily suspended flights to and from Baghdad, Kuwait’s Aviation Authority halted all flights to Iran until further notice, and the Ministry of Transport said Russian carriers had suspended services to Iran and Israel.
The cause-and-effect chain is straightforward: cross-border military strikes produced a spike in perceived aviation risk, prompting national authorities to restrict air traffic; those restrictions forced carriers to cancel, delay or reroute flights and to reposition aircraft and crews. The campaign by the US military has been described by officials as likely to last multiple days, extending the window of uncertainty for airlines and passengers.
Passenger impact and operational outlook
Passengers face immediate consequences: cancelled journeys to Tehran and several Iraqi cities, longer travel times on rerouted services, and ongoing uncertainty as airlines revise schedules. Airlines have communicated directly with affected travellers, and some carriers are returning aircraft to stands where possible. What makes this notable is that the disruption spans a broad geographic arc—from Iran and Iraq to the Arabian Gulf—meaning the ripple effects touch hub operations and connecting flights across the region.
For the near term, travellers should expect an elevated level of schedule volatility. Authorities and carriers have framed actions as precautionary and emphasised safety as the guiding priority. With national airspace closures already in effect in multiple countries and the military campaign expected to continue for several days, airlines will likely keep adjusting routings and timetables until airspace restrictions are lifted and officials declare the region safe for normal operations.
