Flight operations through Dubai have been temporarily paused after parts of the United Arab Emirates’ airspace were closed due to escalating regional tensions.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, announced it has suspended all services to and from Dubai. The disruption follows airspace restrictions introduced after military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.

The airline confirmed that flights via Dubai will remain grounded until 11:00 am GMT on Tuesday, March 3.

What Emirates Is Saying

In an official statement, the airline explained that multiple regional airspace restrictions have forced it to halt operations temporarily.

Passengers are being advised to check their flight status online before travelling to the airport. Emirates said it is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with authorities to assess when services can safely resume.

The airline has apologised to travellers affected by the cancellations and confirmed that impacted customers will be offered rebooking options, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. Emirates stressed that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.

Travellers scheduled to fly between now and March 5 are also being encouraged to either change their booking or request a refund.

Airport Disruptions Across the UAE

The General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the decision to restrict airspace was made after coordination with relevant authorities, citing safety concerns as the main reason.

As a result, several major airports have faced interruptions, including:

Dubai International Airport
Al Maktoum International Airport
Zayed International Airport
Sharjah International Airport

Passengers travelling through these hubs should expect delays and schedule changes.

Travel Advice and Other Airline Updates

The UK Foreign Office has updated its guidance, advising British nationals to avoid all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways has suspended all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 2:00 am UAE time on Monday.

Qatar Airways has also paused services temporarily and warned customers to be cautious of scammers pretending to represent the airline.

Virgin Atlantic confirmed that it is continuing to avoid Iraqi airspace, meaning some London Heathrow routes to the region are being rerouted as a precaution.