Limited flights resume at Dubai airports as authorities oversee cautious recovery

Flights have resumed on a limited basis at Dubai’s airports as aviation authorities carefully restore operations following recent regional airspace disruptions.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, confirmed that operations at both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) are being closely monitored during the recovery phase.

After the limited resumption of flights, Griffiths said he had been on the ground alongside senior leaders and members of the wider airport community to support frontline teams managing the situation.

He also met with officials from Dubai Police and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai to assess operations firsthand and thank teams for their resilience during the disruption.

“The past few days have been unprecedented, but together with collaboration and resilience, we are navigating with confidence,” Griffiths said in a statement shared on LinkedIn.

He praised the teams working across DXB and DWC for their professionalism under pressure, noting that at an airport of DXB’s scale, “the safety of our customers, people, and partners will always come first.”

Gradual return of passengers

Dubai Airports said the partial resumption of flights was made possible through close coordination across the airport community, including airlines, government agencies, and operational partners working together at every level.

As flights slowly resume, passengers have begun returning to airport terminals, with staff focused on ensuring travelers are welcomed safely and efficiently.

However, authorities have advised passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have been contacted by their airline with a confirmed departure time.

Airlines operating limited services

Air travel across the United Arab Emirates has been significantly affected by regional airspace closures in recent days. Most regular scheduled flights remain paused, although some airlines are operating limited services.

UAE national carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia have suspended certain scheduled operations until around March 9 while the situation stabilizes.

At the same time, special repatriation and charter flights are being organized by embassies and aviation authorities to bring residents and citizens home.

Travelers are also using approved repatriation flights departing from airports in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah as authorities gradually restore normal operations.

Dubai Airports said it will continue to monitor the evolving situation and provide updates as schedules and travel arrangements change, with passenger safety remaining the top priority.