Emirates Airlines suspends flights until March 3, and travel disruption spreads throughout the Middle East / Photo: @emirates
Dubai’s skies will remain suspended for the third day in a row after Emirates Airlines extended the suspension of all flights to and from Dubai until 15:00 UAE time on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, due to the ongoing regional airspace closure linked to escalating tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The decision follows directives from Gulf civil aviation authorities after several countries closed their airspace over the weekend. Flight tracking data shows that more than 1,800 flights have been canceled across the Middle East since March 1, disrupting travel across major hubs including Dubai International Airport.
Emirates Airlines extends the suspension of its flights until March 3
Emirates has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Dubai until at least 15:00 UAE time on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, with regional airspace remaining closed.
The airline said that operations will resume only when the relevant authorities confirm that the affected air corridors are safe for civilian aircraft.The extension follows directives and safety guidelines issued by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), after several Gulf countries imposed temporary airspace restrictions amid escalating tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran. Coordination between civil aviation regulators in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq has limited available flight paths, forcing airlines to suspend or reroute their services.
This marks at least the third day of widespread disruption, affecting operations at major hubs including Dubai International, one of the world’s busiest transit airports. The authorities stressed that safety remains the top priority, and flight operations will not resume until permission is obtained from aviation regulators throughout the region.
Closing regional airspace disrupts the UAE
Airspace restrictions are not limited to the UAE. Countries such as Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait have implemented varying levels of closure or restriction, significantly reducing safe flight routes through the region.
As a result, airports such as Dubai International, Abu Dhabi and Doha have seen widespread cancellations and delays.Major international airlines have suspended services to the UAE or are avoiding Gulf airspace altogether. European airlines including Lufthansa have extended their suspension until March 4, while several Asian and American airlines are adjusting their routes to bypass the affected areas.
Aviation monitoring platforms show that thousands of passengers have been affected globally, with ripple effects spreading to Europe, Asia and North America due to the critical role the Middle East plays in global aviation connectivity.
What does Emirates do?
Emirates has advised passengers who booked to travel on or before March 5 to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. The airline offers flexible rebooking options, allowing travelers to change their dates within a specific window without penalty.
Full refunds are also available for customers who choose not to travel.Travelers who booked through travel agents should contact their agents directly, while those who booked through Emirates can manage changes online or through the airline’s call centres. The carrier urged customers to ensure their contact information is updated to receive real-time notifications.
Looking forward
Aviation authorities have not yet confirmed the date for the full reopening of regional airspace.
Airlines, including Emirates, are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with civil aviation regulators. Industry experts say operations will resume gradually once airspace safety is fully guaranteed.Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub means that disruptions here have a major impact on international travel networks. With connecting passengers making up a large share of traffic through the UAE, continued closures could lead to further rescheduling of flights across global routes if tensions persist.For now, travelers are advised to be flexible and follow official airline updates closely.
