UAE Airports Suspend Flights as Regional Airspace Closures Continue

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the suspension followed a comprehensive assessment of security and operational risks. The decision was taken in coordination with national and international authorities, with passenger safety and airspace protection cited as the top priorities.

The regulator stated that it is working closely with airports and airlines to synchronise schedules, activate contingency plans and ensure a smooth return to normal operations once conditions permit. Travellers have been urged to rely on official airline and airport channels for updates and to avoid heading to airports unless advised.

Major UAE Airports Halt Operations

All major airports across the country temporarily suspended flights.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) confirmed a halt in operations, advising passengers not to travel to the terminals.

In Abu Dhabi, Zayed International Airport suspended all services, while Sharjah International Airport announced a full stoppage of flights.

Authorities said airport teams are coordinating with airlines to manage passenger movement, reduce congestion and maintain safety standards during the disruption.

UAE Airlines Extend Suspensions

Major UAE carriers issued operational updates as airspace restrictions remained in place.

Emirates suspended flights to and from Dubai until 3:00 pm UAE time on March 2. Affected passengers may rebook travel up to March 20 or request refunds if tickets were booked directly with the airline.

Etihad Airways halted all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 2:00 pm on Monday. Passengers holding tickets issued on or before February 28 may rebook free of charge for travel up to March 18 or request refunds for flights scheduled until March 3.

flydubai suspended operations to and from Dubai until 3:00 pm. Travellers booked within the next 72 hours may rebook to the same destination within 20 days or request refunds through official channels.

Air Arabia suspended UAE flights until 3:00 pm Monday and extended cancellations to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraq until March 3.

Airlines said they are actively assisting passengers with rebooking and refunds in line with emergency operational plans.

International Carriers Also Impacted

Several foreign airlines announced cancellations, rerouting or temporary suspensions affecting routes to and from the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

These include Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Pakistan International Airlines. Passengers were advised to verify flight status before travelling.

Support for Stranded Passengers

The GCAA confirmed that the UAE has covered expenses for passengers affected by the airspace closures. Transit travellers were provided accommodation, meals and refreshments, while airlines facilitated rebooking arrangements.

Authorities said approximately 20,200 passengers were handled in recent hours through coordinated measures, including flight rerouting, accelerated rescheduling and enhanced terminal management to ease congestion.

Officials have not specified when full operations will resume but said assessments are ongoing and services will restart once airspace safety conditions are fully restored.