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Air travel in the UAE continues under a reduced schedule due to ongoing regional airspace restrictions. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia are operating limited flights to key destinations, with passengers advised to check their flight status, ensure bookings are confirmed, and follow official airline updates before travelling to the airport.
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UAE–India travel update
Emirates
Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule.
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Passengers should check flight status for upcoming flights and only travel to the airport if they hold a confirmed booking.
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Transit passengers in Dubai are only accepted if their connecting flight is operating.
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Emirates continues to monitor the situation and will adjust its operations accordingly.
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Updates and flight schedules are available at website.
Options for affected passengers (Feb 28 – Mar 31, 2026):
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Rebook: On an alternate flight for travel on or before 30 April 2026.
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Refund: Request via the refund form on emirates.com, or contact your travel agent.
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Ensure contact details are correct at Manage Your Booking to receive updates.
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All Dubai city check-in points remain temporarily closed.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is also operating a limited flight schedule from Abu Dhabi, connecting to key international destinations.
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Passengers should not travel to the airport unless they hold a confirmed booking or have been contacted by Etihad.
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Operations follow strict safety and security assessments; flights operate only once all criteria are met.
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Destinations currently operating include major cities such as London, Paris, New York, Riyadh, Tokyo, Sydney, and many more.




Guidance for passengers:
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Check flight status at etihad.com before travelling.
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Ensure contact details are updated at etihad.com/manage.
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Tickets issued on or before Feb 28, 2026, with travel up to Mar 31, 2026, may be rebooked free of charge until May 15, 2026.
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Refund requests can be submitted online or through your travel agent.
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Online check-in is unavailable until 21 March; allow extra time at the airport.
flydubai
Flights across the network are operating with a reduced schedule.
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Passengers booked between 28 Feb–31 Mar may rebook to the same destination within 30 days of the original travel date with no penalty.
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Connecting passengers in Dubai will only be accepted if their connecting flight is operating.
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Flight durations and transit times may be longer than usual due to rerouted flight paths.
Passenger advice:
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Check flight status before travelling.
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Book via flydubai.com, the mobile app, Contact Centre (+971 600 54 44 45), Travel Shop, or a travel agent.
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Update your contact details via Manage Your Booking.
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Only rely on official channels for assistance and updates.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has resumed a limited number of flights to and from the UAE, subject to regulatory approval.
Destinations operating until March 22 include:
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Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Muscat, Salalah, Amman, Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina
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Asia: Dhaka, Chittagong, Colombo, Bangkok, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kathmandu
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Europe: Vienna, Athens, Milan-Bergamo
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Africa: Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Entebbe
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Other: Istanbul, Trabzon, Almaty, Tashkent
Passenger options for cancelled flights:
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One free date change within 30 days
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Full credit voucher
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Full refund to the original form of payment
Booking management:
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Direct bookings: Manage online via the Manage Booking page.
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Travel agent bookings: Contact your agent for rebooking or refund.
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Ensure your contact details are updated to receive important notifications.
General advice for all passengers
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Do not travel to airports unless holding a confirmed booking or official rebooking notification.
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Monitor official airline websites and emails for the latest updates.
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All airlines operate flights only once safety criteria are met.
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Expect delays, longer transit times, and limited operations.
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Patience is appreciated due to high call volumes and operational pressures.
Safety remains the highest priority for both airlines. All flights operate only once all safety criteria are met. Passengers are advised to monitor official websites and emails for the latest updates.
