UAE airports partially reopen as airlines publish new March 8 schedules
GDRFA issues emergency visa-extension playbook for stranded visitors
Air India Group mounts 32 relief flights to clear UAE–India passenger backlog
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Logistics snapshot: Expeditors rates UAE air and sea capacity as ‘restricted’ but improving
A 8 March Expeditors bulletin grades UAE air and sea freight as ‘restricted’ but functional, with diversions in place via Oman and Saudi trucking. Mobility and procurement teams should expect clearance delays, higher inland haulage costs and potential bottlenecks at Jebel Ali once maritime lanes reopen.
UAE airports partially reopen on 7 March as limited commercial flights resume
DXB and other UAE airports reopened to limited passenger traffic on 7 March, with Emirates, Etihad and low-cost carriers running reduced schedules and offering free rebooking. Access to terminals is restricted to confirmed travellers and flights must skirt closed airspace, lengthening journey times. The restart is critical for multinationals that rely on Dubai and Abu Dhabi as regional mobility hubs.
Emirates restarts long-haul network from Dubai International after week-long suspension
Emirates resumed a first wave of passenger and cargo flights from DXB on 7 March, opening 45 routes and giving stranded travellers free change or refund options. The move restores vital seat capacity for corporate mobility programmes but comes with warnings of potential last-minute schedule changes and higher fares.
UAE waives all visa-overstay fines for passengers stranded by air-space shutdown
ICP has cancelled all visa-overstay fines dating from 28 February for people stranded by the flight ban, offering full refunds to those who already paid. The amnesty spares employers and travellers unexpected costs and mitigates future immigration-risk exposure.
Air India and Air India Express mount 43 special flights on 7 March to move UAE-based passengers
Air India and its low-cost arm operated 43 ad-hoc flights on 7 March to and from UAE airports, giving thousands of Indian workers and tourists a route home and enabling Gulf employers to start recalling staff. Change fees and fare differences were waived for existing ticket-holders.
EASA issues conflict-zone bulletin advising carriers to avoid UAE airspace
EASA’s 7 March CZIB warns European airlines to steer clear of UAE airspace, prompting suspensions and longer routings. The guidance tightens seat supply on Europe-Dubai routes and heightens duty-of-care considerations for EU assignees.
ICP processed 30,913 travellers and issued 15,000 emergency visas during first days of crisis
ICP reports that it handled over 30,000 passengers and issued more than 15,000 short-stay visas during the air-travel shutdown, highlighting the UAE’s capacity to keep immigration services running and support stranded travellers.