The United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced the start of exceptional flight operations across the country’s airports to help passengers stranded by recent regional tensions depart.
Airspace in the UAE was closed after Iran launched missile strikes targeting United States military bases in the Middle East, prompting widespread disruption to aviation across the region. Major hubs, including those in Dubai, suspended operations, while several international airlines temporarily halted flights to and from the Middle East.
In a statement issued Monday, the aviation authority said the special flight operations would run according to schedules to be communicated directly by airlines to affected travellers and destinations.
“The Authority urges passengers whose flights have been impacted not to proceed to airports until they have been contacted and notified of their flight timings and details by their respective airlines, in order to avoid congestion and ensure smooth processing,” the authority said.
Meanwhile, Dubai Airports confirmed a limited resumption of services from Monday evening. The operator said a small number of flights would depart from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
“Travellers are advised not to proceed to DXB or DWC unless they have been contacted directly by their airline with a confirmed departure time,” the statement said.
In Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Airports also announced a partial reopening of operations at Zayed International Airport (AUH), noting that the resumption was being coordinated with relevant authorities and airline partners.
Passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi were similarly advised to verify their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport.
Flag carrier Emirates said it would operate a limited number of services from Monday evening, prioritising customers with earlier bookings. The airline added that rebooked passengers would be contacted directly and should not travel to the airport without confirmation.
Budget carrier Flydubai also announced it would operate a limited number of flights in the evening.
The gradual reopening comes amid heightened security concerns and continued monitoring of regional developments, as authorities work to restore normal operations while managing congestion and ensuring passenger safety.
