Gulf airlines to resume some flights after Iran strikes closed airspace
Emirates and Etihad will begin working to repatriate passengers who are stranded
ShanonG
Major Gulf carriers, including Emirates, flydubai, and Etihad Airways, will resume a limited number of flights late on Monday, primarily to repatriate passengers stranded by the escalating regional conflict.
The airspace across parts of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, had closed following US-Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, which shut key airports like Dubai and Doha.
State news agency WAM reported that the UAE civil aviation authority will operate “special flights” across its airports to aid tens of thousands of affected travellers.
Dubai Airports confirmed a limited resumption would begin later on Monday, with flights permitted from Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC).
DXB, which handled nearly 100 million passengers in 2025, sustained minor damage on Sunday after it was hit, along with other hubs, by Iranian retaliatory attacks.
Emirates and flydubai said they would resume a small number of flights on Monday evening.
flydubai said four flights to Russian destinations, including Kazan, would depart from DXB.
Meanwhile, services from three Pakistani airports and from Hargeisa in Somaliland were scheduled to return to Dubai.
"Some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals," Abu Dhabi-based Etihad said in a statement, adding that all scheduled commercial services to and from Abu Dhabi remained cancelled.
The airline's website showed that several flights had departed from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport on Monday for destinations including London and Paris, with more scheduled.
Etihad did not specify which flights were being used for repatriations.
Earlier, the airline said all flights to and from Abu Dhabi were suspended until 10am on Tuesday.
A Lufthansa A380 departed Abu Dhabi earlier on Monday with only two pilots on board. The company said it was transferring the plane to Munich and passenger transport was not possible.
Additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Tel Aviv
