In a symbolic step toward recovery, Emirates dispatched five Airbus A380 super-jumbos from Dubai International on the morning of 3 March 2026 – its first long-haul departures since the weekend’s hostilities paralysed Gulf aviation. Flights EK001 (London LHR), EK071 (Paris CDG), EK045 (Frankfurt FRA), EK017 (Manchester MAN) and EK801 (Jeddah JED) lifted off within a tight two-hour window, each operating with augmented crew complements in case mid-route diversions became necessary. Dubai Airports said only 20 % of the day’s 1,050 scheduled passenger flights were cleared, leaving 100,000-plus travellers still stranded worldwide. Terminal 3 remained closed to the public, so all departing passengers were processed through Terminals 1 and 2 with military-style crowd-flow controls and mandatory baggage pre-screening outside the building. For mobility managers, the most immediate challenge is seat scarcity. Emirates is giving re-booking priority to customers whose original travel dates fell between 29 February and 2 March. Golden-Visa holders stuck abroad have been advised to use the carrier’s live-chat tool to flag urgent medical or contractual reasons for expedited uplift; supporting documents can shave days off the waiting list.
![First post-crisis Emirates A380s depart DXB as hub moves from shutdown to skeletal schedule]()
Amid the paperwork turbulence, third-party facilitators can be a lifeline. VisaHQ, for instance, is already fielding requests from travellers whose UAE entry permits expired during the shutdown; its digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) can fast-track emergency visa renewals, secure alternative country visas for detour routings, and provide real-time status alerts—cutting down on consulate visits when roads and embassies are congested.
The situation also hits intra-GCC commuters: flydubai is still evaluating regional frequencies, while Etihad is operating only repatriation and cargo-only sorties. Multinationals that base regional staff in Dubai should brace for extended remote work or costly routings via Muscat, Cairo or Mumbai. Crisis-robust travel insurance that covers acts of war is proving a differentiator, with several policies already reimbursing hotel and alternative-ticket expenses. Dubai Airports expects to raise capacity to 40 % by 6 March provided no fresh security alerts emerge. Passengers without written airline confirmation are still barred from entering the airport precinct – security have been instructed to turn back anyone lacking a QR-coded boarding pass.
Amid the paperwork turbulence, third-party facilitators can be a lifeline. VisaHQ, for instance, is already fielding requests from travellers whose UAE entry permits expired during the shutdown; its digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) can fast-track emergency visa renewals, secure alternative country visas for detour routings, and provide real-time status alerts—cutting down on consulate visits when roads and embassies are congested.
The situation also hits intra-GCC commuters: flydubai is still evaluating regional frequencies, while Etihad is operating only repatriation and cargo-only sorties. Multinationals that base regional staff in Dubai should brace for extended remote work or costly routings via Muscat, Cairo or Mumbai. Crisis-robust travel insurance that covers acts of war is proving a differentiator, with several policies already reimbursing hotel and alternative-ticket expenses. Dubai Airports expects to raise capacity to 40 % by 6 March provided no fresh security alerts emerge. Passengers without written airline confirmation are still barred from entering the airport precinct – security have been instructed to turn back anyone lacking a QR-coded boarding pass.
