Despite the prolonged ceasefire between the US and Iran, regional tensions continue. Some Gulf nations, together with the UAE, continue to face intermittent missile and drone attacks, the latest focusing on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, 17 May.
Ahead of the latest developments, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the full resumption of air traffic on Saturday, 2 May, lifting the remaining restrictions on the nation’s airspace. So far, disruption to flights has remained comparatively restricted, although the state of affairs continues to evolve.
The UAE’s airspace has been partially operational since early March, with airways utilizing managed flight corridors that, at occasions, have resulted in lowered schedules and longer journey occasions. Elsewhere in the area, nations together with Bahrain and Kuwait have additionally progressively reopened their airspace following the non permanent ceasefire, with business flights now working throughout all beforehand affected markets.
While aviation networks are functioning, ongoing safety considerations continue to create uncertainty for travellers. A everlasting decision to the battle has but to be reached, and with the US sustaining a naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz, the broader regional outlook stays troublesome to foretell.
Regional carriers have largely restored operations. Emirates is at the moment flying to greater than 137 locations worldwide, whereas Etihad is serving greater than 80. Qatar Airways says it plans to fly to 150 locations by mid-June.
That stated, airways throughout the area continue to warning that schedules might change at brief discover, whereas some worldwide carriers have adjusted operations, together with non permanent suspensions on choose routes to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and elsewhere in the Middle East.
Here’s what travellers with flights booked throughout the Middle East have to know proper now.
This article was up to date with the latest data on Monday, 18 May 2026
Which airways are working in the Middle East?
All airways with flights into airports with restricted airspace are at the moment working with lowered and restricted schedules, together with routes headed for Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, Bahrain International Airport, Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.
Emirates: Emirates is now flying to 137 locations throughout 72 nations worldwide, representing 96 per cent of its earlier world community. More than 1,300 flights are working every week – roughly 75 per cent of its pre-war capability. The Dubai-based provider is advising passengers to “check your flight status, even after you have checked in”. Customers who are booked to travel until Sunday, 31 May, can request a refund or rebook on another flight until Monday, 15 June. “We’ll do our best to rebook you on the next available Emirates flight,” the airline says. “This applies to most disrupted tickets, including journeys connecting beyond Dubai.” Emirates additionally lately up to date its rebooking coverage to offer passengers further peace of thoughts, providing one free date change on fares booked after 2 April. According to Flightradar24, Emirates is working at 74.1 per cent of its ordinary schedule.