After three days of unprecedented closure, UAE authorities began phasing-in the reopening of national airspace during the early hours of 5 March. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed that selected corridors have been cleared for civilian use following a joint security review with the military and international regulators. Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates said more than 100 departures would operate on 5 and 6 March, while sister low-cost airline flydubai has reinstated a skeletal schedule to high-priority regional and South-Asian destinations. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will relaunch a handful of long-haul flights from 14:00 local time today.
Capacity, however, remains well below normal. Routes that traverse Iranian, Iraqi or Kuwaiti airspace—including key Europe-to-Asia trunk lines—are still off-limits, forcing longer detours over the Arabian Sea or Red Sea. Airlines warn that block times are up to five hours longer, with knock-on crew-duty and aircraft-rotation challenges. Passengers have been told not to travel to the airport unless they hold a fresh booking confirmation sent after 04:00 UAE time on 5 March.
![UAE partially reopens airspace; Emirates, Etihad and flydubai restart limited services]()
Amid these shifting schedules, travelers should also confirm that their entry documentation is current. VisaHQ can organize or expedite UAE visas entirely online, supplying real-time status alerts and dedicated support—details are at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Dubai International (DXB) re-opened two of its three runways; the northern runway will stay closed for surface inspections and shrapnel removal. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport is operating a single-runway configuration under reduced-visibility procedures because of lingering smoke in the upper atmosphere from intercepted projectiles. Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah airports remain available as technical alternates and are handling several relief and diversion flights.
For businesses, the restart means critical staff and high-value cargo can begin moving again, albeit slowly. HR teams should expect continued roster volatility, missed connections and last-minute aircraft swaps. Employers are advised to keep contingency accommodation blocks and to brief travellers on extended journey times, layover health-insurance coverage and potential re-routing through African or Caucasus hubs.
Capacity, however, remains well below normal. Routes that traverse Iranian, Iraqi or Kuwaiti airspace—including key Europe-to-Asia trunk lines—are still off-limits, forcing longer detours over the Arabian Sea or Red Sea. Airlines warn that block times are up to five hours longer, with knock-on crew-duty and aircraft-rotation challenges. Passengers have been told not to travel to the airport unless they hold a fresh booking confirmation sent after 04:00 UAE time on 5 March.
Amid these shifting schedules, travelers should also confirm that their entry documentation is current. VisaHQ can organize or expedite UAE visas entirely online, supplying real-time status alerts and dedicated support—details are at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Dubai International (DXB) re-opened two of its three runways; the northern runway will stay closed for surface inspections and shrapnel removal. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport is operating a single-runway configuration under reduced-visibility procedures because of lingering smoke in the upper atmosphere from intercepted projectiles. Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah airports remain available as technical alternates and are handling several relief and diversion flights.
For businesses, the restart means critical staff and high-value cargo can begin moving again, albeit slowly. HR teams should expect continued roster volatility, missed connections and last-minute aircraft swaps. Employers are advised to keep contingency accommodation blocks and to brief travellers on extended journey times, layover health-insurance coverage and potential re-routing through African or Caucasus hubs.
