Etihad Airways quietly updated its travel-waiver policy overnight, giving passengers whose tickets were issued on or before 28 February the option to rebook or refund travel through 15 April 2026 at no additional cost. The previous cut-off had been 31 March. The extension was confirmed by Etihad customer-service representatives in an online support thread posted in the early hours of 20 March. Travellers holding affected tickets can request a full refund, one free date change, or a reroute onto another Etihad-operated service in the same cabin class. Codeshare flights are included provided the ticket stock begins with ‘607’. For global mobility managers the extra two-week window is significant: many corporate assignees whose spring-break trips were cancelled when regional airspace first closed now have clarity on cost recovery. Relocation firms report a spike in demand for temporary accommodation in Abu Dhabi as families elect to delay outbound moves until after Eid and Ramadan. Etihad continues to operate a reduced schedule using southern corridors over Oman and the Arabian Sea. The airline says capacity will remain constrained until more neighbouring states fully reopen their skies; passengers are therefore advised to revalidate itineraries at least 48 hours before departure.
![Etihad extends Middle-East conflict travel waiver to 15 April]()
Travellers who decide to adjust their plans should also review their visa requirements. VisaHQ’s online platform can help by providing real-time information on United Arab Emirates entry rules and facilitating quick e-visa submissions, saving both corporate mobility teams and individual passengers valuable time; more details are available at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Importantly, the waiver does not override separate entry-visa validity rules. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) confirmed that overstayers must still regularise their status or risk fines once the temporary conflict amnesty expires on 31 March.
Travellers who decide to adjust their plans should also review their visa requirements. VisaHQ’s online platform can help by providing real-time information on United Arab Emirates entry rules and facilitating quick e-visa submissions, saving both corporate mobility teams and individual passengers valuable time; more details are available at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Importantly, the waiver does not override separate entry-visa validity rules. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) confirmed that overstayers must still regularise their status or risk fines once the temporary conflict amnesty expires on 31 March.
