Airlines begin gradual operations amid Middle East airspace disruptions

Dubai International Airport

• Indian carriers have not announced any resumption of flights for Feb 3
• Over 9,500 flights have been cancelled in the Gulf since Feb 28
• Ministry of Civil Aviation said 357 flights scheduled for Mar 2 were cancelled

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Gulf-based airports impacted by the ongoing armed conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran have begun resuming partial flight operations in coordination with aviation authorities and airline partners, even as widespread cancellations continue across the region.

Dubai Airports Restart Limited Services

Operations resumed late evening on March 2 at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central International Airport, with Emirates and flydubai launching flights to Chennai, Moscow, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Sharm El Sheikh, Warsaw and Belgrade, according to the Dubai Airport website.

Airport authorities have requested airlines to file revised schedules for March 3, 4 and 5 as part of a phased reopening plan. Industry observers describe the initial departures as urgent efforts to evacuate stranded passengers after days of disruption.

Abu Dhabi and Saudi Airports Resume in Restricted Mode

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport also restarted operations in a controlled manner, with the first incoming flight being an Emirates service from Dammam.

In Saudi Arabia, despite airspace constraints linked to the regional conflict, King Abdulaziz International Airport has remained functional under restricted operations, allowing limited traffic.

Indian Carriers Take Divergent Approaches

Emirates, the largest foreign carrier connecting India and the Gulf, has begun accepting bookings to Dubai from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

In contrast, Air India has extended the suspension of all flights to and from affected Middle Eastern airports until 23:59 hrs (IST) on March 3, 2026, citing continued closure of multiple airspaces.

Its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, has started accepting bookings for Dubai-bound travel from March 4. The airline also announced it will resume flight operations to and from Muscat beginning March 3, 2026. However, services to and from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remain suspended until 23:59 hrs (IST) on March 3.

Widespread Cancellations Continue

According to aviation tracking platform Flightradar24, cancellations across seven major Middle Eastern airports — including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi — have exceeded 9,500 flights since the escalation began.

India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that 357 flights scheduled for operation on March 2 were cancelled. The ministry said 559 passenger grievances were addressed during the disruption period through AirSewa, social media platforms and dedicated helplines, in coordination with airlines and relevant stakeholders.

“The situation in the Middle East region continues to be closely monitored to facilitate relief for passengers,” the ministry said in a statement.

Passenger Rescue Operations Underway

With thousands of passengers stranded over the past several days, the limited resumption of flights is widely viewed as a controlled effort to restore connectivity and clear airport backlogs.

Airlines and airport authorities remain on high alert as airspace availability continues to fluctuate amid the conflict. Further schedule adjustments are expected over the coming days as the geopolitical situation evolves.