Condé Nast Traveller Middle East updated its rolling advisory on 6 April, providing the clearest snapshot yet of how airlines are adjusting networks as regional airspace slowly reopens. While Dubai International and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International have resumed limited operations, most carriers continue to operate truncated schedules and warn travellers not to proceed to the airport without flight confirmation. Emirates is flying roughly 70 per cent of its pre-war network but still urges customers to re-check status even after online check-in.
![Real-time travel guide: What the latest Middle East flight disruption means for UAE passengers]()
For travellers who also need to confirm that their documentation is in order before boarding, VisaHQ offers a quick way to check and obtain the necessary UAE visas or transit permits online, complete with live updates and responsive support; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Etihad has capped capacity at 62 per cent and is allowing free changes on tickets issued before 28 February. Low-cost flydubai and Air Arabia are rebuilding frequencies but advise passengers to expect last-minute aircraft swaps and “technical” fuel stops in southern Europe. Global carriers such as Cathay Pacific, British Airways and Lufthansa have extended suspensions of Dubai services into May, underscoring lingering security concerns. The article highlights practical knock-on effects: longer routings via Central Asia and Egypt raise block times and may trigger duty-time exceedances, increasing risk of crew-related cancellations. Some inbound flights are operating as ferry services to reposition aircraft, leaving outbound seats unavailable even when arrival flights operate. Travellers also face elevated fares as carriers price in higher fuel burn; fare-scraping site Skytra shows average economy return fares DXB–LHR for 15–22 April up 18 per cent week-on-week. For companies managing mobile staff, the guidance is to maintain a rolling 72-hour pre-departure status check, secure “change-flex” tickets where possible, and consider double-booking itineraries on different alliances for mission-critical travel. Duty-of-care providers recommend updating traveller tracking tools daily, as ad-hoc slots may appear only hours before departure. The feature also collates airline-specific refund rules in force until at least 30 April, giving corporate travel buyers a one-stop reference for policy exceptions.
For travellers who also need to confirm that their documentation is in order before boarding, VisaHQ offers a quick way to check and obtain the necessary UAE visas or transit permits online, complete with live updates and responsive support; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Etihad has capped capacity at 62 per cent and is allowing free changes on tickets issued before 28 February. Low-cost flydubai and Air Arabia are rebuilding frequencies but advise passengers to expect last-minute aircraft swaps and “technical” fuel stops in southern Europe. Global carriers such as Cathay Pacific, British Airways and Lufthansa have extended suspensions of Dubai services into May, underscoring lingering security concerns. The article highlights practical knock-on effects: longer routings via Central Asia and Egypt raise block times and may trigger duty-time exceedances, increasing risk of crew-related cancellations. Some inbound flights are operating as ferry services to reposition aircraft, leaving outbound seats unavailable even when arrival flights operate. Travellers also face elevated fares as carriers price in higher fuel burn; fare-scraping site Skytra shows average economy return fares DXB–LHR for 15–22 April up 18 per cent week-on-week. For companies managing mobile staff, the guidance is to maintain a rolling 72-hour pre-departure status check, secure “change-flex” tickets where possible, and consider double-booking itineraries on different alliances for mission-critical travel. Duty-of-care providers recommend updating traveller tracking tools daily, as ad-hoc slots may appear only hours before departure. The feature also collates airline-specific refund rules in force until at least 30 April, giving corporate travel buyers a one-stop reference for policy exceptions.
