A week after the Iran conflict disrupted regional airspace, Gulf airlines are gradually resuming operations. Limited flights are returning across the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, with airports and carriers coordinating evacuation and relief services while prioritizing passenger safety.

Relief corridors and phased schedules are helping stranded travelers reconnect with families and return home. However, temporary reroutes and ongoing airspace restrictions mean passengers should check flight availability and travel requirements before heading to the airport.

DUBAI AIRPORTS RAMP UP OPERATIONS

A week after the Iran conflict disrupted regional airspace, Gulf airlines are gradually resuming operations. Limited flights are returning across the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, with airports and carriers coordinating evacuation and relief services while prioritizing passenger safety. Relief corridors and phased schedules are helping stranded travelers reconnect with families and return home. However, temporary reroutes and ongoing airspace restrictions mean passengers should check flight availability and travel requirements before heading to the airport.

Over the past 84 hours, more than 1,140 flights have been facilitated at @DXB and DWC to help travellers return home.

During the period 2nd-5th March, more than 500 flights have departed DXB and DWC, providing 105,000 outbound seats to more than 80 countries and the number… pic.twitter.com/sIByVZsK1P

— Dubai Airports (@DubaiAirports) March 6, 2026

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, described the past few days as “unprecedented” in a LinkedIn post, praising frontline teams for their exceptional professionalism and commitment under pressure and emphasizing that passenger and staff safety remains the top priority as flight schedules recover.

EMIRATES ADJUSTS FLIGHT NETWORK

Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates has been operating a reduced schedule while gradually restoring its global network. On Thursday, the airline carried approximately 30,000 passengers departing from DXB, and by March 7, Saturday, it expects to operate 106 daily return flights to 83 destinations, nearly 60% of its route network.

A statement issued on Friday, March 6, emphasized that the airline plans to resume its full network in the coming days, “subject to airspace availability and operational requirements,” while reaffirming that safety remains its top priority. 

Following the partial re-opening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule while working to restore full network operations.

✈️ Flights to these destinations are currently operating: https://t.co/A2RdND1Gjr.

🎫 Customers can check availability and… pic.twitter.com/CsXg1RBhBq

— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 6, 2026

Emirates has also increased flights in key markets, including 11 daily flights across five U.K. airports, 22 daily services to nine Indian destinations, and flights to seven U.S. cities.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS RESTORES LIMITED SERVICES

Etihad resumes limited flight schedule: https://t.co/qeairKddhF pic.twitter.com/UNlB3wkmSp

— Etihad Airways (@etihad) March 6, 2026

Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, began a limited flight schedule from its Abu Dhabi hub on Friday. 

Previously booked and new passengers can use these flights, which will serve more than 70 destinations from March 6–19. The airline has released its operating schedule for March 8, available on X, and will gradually move toward restoring regular operations.

FLYDUBAI RESUMES NETWORK FLIGHTS

Dubai’s low-cost carrier, flydubai confirmed on March 5, that it has resumed operations with a reduced schedule. The airline said it is continuously updating its timetable as airspace restrictions lift and warned that some flights may take longer than usual due to temporary rerouting. Transit passengers connecting through Dubai will only be accepted if their onward flights are operating.

AIR ARABIA LIMITED SERVICES

Air Arabia, a low-budget carrier based in Sharjah, has begun operating a limited number of flights to and from the UAE, according to a statement on X. 

Air Arabia advised travelers not to go to the airport unless they have received direct notification or a confirmed booking.

Travel Update

Air Arabia has started operating a limited number of flights to and from the UAE. Visit our Travel Update page to check current flight schedule.

Customers whose flights were previously cancelled may also rebook if they have not yet used their modification or… pic.twitter.com/z9gcEsrxsV

— Air Arabia (@airarabiagroup) March 6, 2026

 Flight schedules are subject to operational and regulatory approvals, and passenger safety remains the airline’s priority.

INDIGO SERVES FIVE MIDDLE EASTERN DESTINATIONS

IndiGo issued a travel advisory, March 7, noting that “as the situation continues to be volatile in and around the Middle East, we understand that many customers are still waiting to reach the places and the people that matter most to them.” 

The airline will operate flights to five Middle Eastern destinations starting March 7, emphasizing that its teams are committed to keeping “the safety and well-being of our customers and crew at the heart of every decision.”

Travel Advisory

As situation continues to be volatile in and around the Middle East, we understand that many customers are still waiting to reach the places and the people that matter most to them.

Over the past few days, our flights have helped reunite many with their loved… pic.twitter.com/PuFFmSemXA

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) March 6, 2026

QATAR’S RELIEF CORRIDOR

Hamad International Airport confirmed a limited number of flights on March 7. As per a statement issued by the airport, these flights are, “Solely for the evacuation of stranded passengers and air cargo operations,” following the partial resumption of air navigation in Qatar. 

Statement from Hamad International Airport:

Following the temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirming a partial resumption of airflight movement, Hamad International Airport will operate a limited number of repatriation flights for stranded…

— Hamad Int’l Airport (@HIAQatar) March 6, 2026

QATAR AIRWAYS

In a statement on X, the country’s national carrier, Qatar Airways said, that while its regular operations remain suspended due to closed Qatari airspace, following temporary authorization for a relief corridor, the airline will operate flights starting March 7 from Hamad International Airport to London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, and Frankfurt, prioritizing stranded families, elderly passengers, and those with urgent needs. 

“It should be noted that this step does not constitute a resumption of scheduled operational activities,” the statement added.

الخطوط الجوية القطرية تشغل رحلات إجلاء من الدوحة.

تستمر الخطوط الجوية القطرية في تعليق رحلاتها الجوية مؤقتاً في ظل استمرار إغلاق المجال الجوي لدولة قطر. وستُباشر الخطوط الجوية القطرية استئناف عملياتها التشغيلية فور صدور إعلان من الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني بدولة قطر بشأن إعادة…

— الخطوط الجوية القطرية (@qatarairwaysar) March 6, 2026

SAUDIA PARTIALLY RESTARTS FLIGHTS TO DUBAI

Saudia announced the resumption of flights to and from Dubai on March 7, operating SV598 (Riyadh to Dubai), SV588 (Jeddah to Dubai), SV597 (Dubai to Riyadh), and SV589 (Dubai to Jeddah). 

Additional flights will be added gradually, the airline said, while services to Amman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Moscow, and Peshawar remain suspended through March 8–15. 

Update from #Saudia (4) pic.twitter.com/o9KliGvNLk

— Saudia Group | مجموعة السعودية (@SaudiaGroup) March 6, 2026

AIR INDIA RESTORES MIDDLE EAST FLIGHTS

Air India, India’s national carrier, has resumed services to Jeddah and Muscat after confirming that airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman is open and safe for operations. The airline is also operating additional special flights to assist travelers who have been stranded in the region.

Additional non-scheduled flights have been planned to operate to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al-Khaimah and Sharjah on 7 March, to fly the stranded passengers back to India.

#ImportantUpdate

Air India and Air India Express continue to operate scheduled flights to/from Jeddah and Muscat assessed safe for operations.

Additional non-scheduled flights have been planned to operate to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al-Khaimah and Sharjah on 7…

— Air India (@airindia) March 6, 2026

OMAN AIR EXPANDS KEY ROUTES

Oman Civil Aviation Authority said on March 6 that Omani aviation authorities are maintaining readiness while facilitating safe air travel amid regional developments. 

Oman Air has announced additional flights to London Heathrow (7–16 March), Istanbul (9–16 March), Bangkok (8–15 March), Kuala Lumpur (8–11 March), Cairo (8–15 March), and Mumbai (7–8 March). 

To assist travelers from Sharjah, Oman Air is providing integrated bus transfers (WY2602 and WY2604) to Muscat until March 10 at 07:00 and 13:00 GST. Passengers are advised to apply for their Oman visa online before travel.

Book your seamless travel between Dubai and India via Muscat. For more information, please visit https://t.co/aUSKlj448a pic.twitter.com/Gh3hqaaNZx

— Oman Air (@omanair) March 5, 2026

OTHER AFFECTED AIRLINES AND EVACUATION FLIGHTS

Several international carriers are adjusting operations due to regional airspace restrictions:

– British Airways has scheduled flights from Muscat to London Heathrow on March 9–12 for travel in Oman and the UAE with existing bookings.

– Finnair plans special flights from Muscat to Helsinki for roughly 1,200 passengers currently in Dubai, starting March 10.

– Virgin Atlantic resumed flights from Dubai to London Heathrow and from Riyadh’s King Khalid International.

– Gulf Air and Wizz Air have suspended operations temporarily in affected areas.

– Turkish Airlines, Air France, KLM, and the Lufthansa Group have canceled or adjusted flights to multiple destinations in the Middle East.

– North American carriers, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Air Canada, Garuda Indonesia, Air China, and China Southern Airlines, are resuming limited flights to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, including evacuation services for citizens stranded in the region.

All airlines have reiterated that all operations are being carried out in coordination with the relevant authorities and only after careful safety and security checks. Travelers are advised to check official airline websites regularly and wait for direct notifications before going to the airport.

The gradual resumption of flights comes at a time when airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East continue to ease,  though carriers say schedules remain flexible and subject to change depending on the security situation.