Gulf flight suspensions: latest updates – Friday 6 March

Nearly a week into the ongoing conflict in the GCC, air travel is gradually recovering as UAE carriers ramp up operations.

 

Emirates has reopened bookings for more than 100 flights to 82 destinations worldwide between 5 and 6 March, while Etihad Airways is resuming services from Abu Dhabi to 70 cities for travel between 6 and 19 March. Other UAE operators, including Flydubai and Air Arabia, continue to run limited schedules, with Air Arabia suspending all but select routes until 9 March.

 

The measured rebound comes as traffic through Dubai International Airport (DXB) rises for a third consecutive day, recording 310 flight movements on 5 March, according to Flightradar24 data. However, the platform noted that current operations remain at only 25% of normal capacity.

 

Meanwhile, airspace closures persist over Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Repatriation efforts are underway, with Kuwait Airways operating return flights for citizens stranded in cities such as Paris, Cairo and Manila. Qatar Airways has also launched relief services from Muscat and Riyadh to key European destinations including Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Rome, Madrid, Berlin and London.

 

Saudi Arabia and Oman continue to serve as the primary transit hubs for regional air traffic, with Flynas beginning services from Dubai to Riyadh and Jeddah from 6 March and Oman Air ramping up flights to European and Asian destinations. Muscat International Airport (MCT) handled more than 1,500 flight movements in the week ending 5 March, according to flight tracking data. 

 

As travellers make their way to operational hubs via land borders, Oman Air has issued an advisory urging passengers to arrive at border crossings at least 12 hours before departure due to heavy congestion at checkpoints.

 

Here are the latest regional and international airline updates: 

 

UAE

Emirates: Commercial flights remain grounded until 7 March at 23:59 local time, however, select repatriation services have resumed on a limited schedule. 

 

The airline is operating flights to 82 destinations between 5 and 6 March, which can be viewed here. Tickets are available for purchase, with priority for customers with earlier bookings.

 

For connecting passengers, the airline has advised: “Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating” 

 

Customers with bookings between 28 February and 31 March can request a refund or rebook for travel until 30 April. All city check-in points across Dubai are closed until further notice.