Updated on March 2, 5:00 p.m. EST
Several carriers began restoring limited service from the United Arab Emirates on Monday, offering a pathway out for stranded travelers after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered widespread regional disruption.
According to the Associated Press, Etihad Airways and Emirates, along with low-cost carrier FlyDubai, announced select departures from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. However, operations remain heavily constrained.
Emirates confirmed it would prioritize previously booked customers on its limited resumed flights, while FlyDubai operated a small number of departures and arrivals with schedules subject to change.
Dubai authorities urged passengers to travel to the airport only if directly contacted by their airline. Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimates that more than 11,000 flights across the Middle East have been canceled since Saturday, affecting more than one million travelers.
Original Story
The U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Iran has impacted flights across the Middle East. Regional airspace closures and strikes on key hub airports have forced widespread flight cancellations and diversions. This has disrupted air travel globally as the Middle East is a major link for international travel.
The world’s busiest international travel hub, Dubai, which handles more than 1,000 flights a day, has been closed since Saturday. Doha and Abu Dhabi gateways are also closed.
Two airports in the United Arab Emirates reported incidents Saturday. Dubai International Airport reported four injuries, while officials at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi said a drone strike killed one person and injured seven others. Strikes were also reported at Kuwait International Airport.
Passengers have been stranded across the region, and many en-route have been diverted to other airports. According to FlightAware, early Saturday flights headed to Tel Aviv and Dubai were sent to airports in Europe. Major carriers halting services include Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad.
It is unclear how long the disruption to flight operations could last. Airlines are cautioning passengers that their flights can be impacted and to please check their flight status before heading to the airport.
“For travelers, there’s no way to sugarcoat this,” said Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group. “You should prepare for delays or cancellations for the next few days as these attacks evolve and hopefully end.”
