Dubai Airports Resume Limited Flight Operations After Three-Day Closure Amid Gulf Strikes

Dubai Airports announced that “limited” flight operations would resume on Monday evening, three days after services were suspended following Iranian strikes targeting locations across the Gulf, including airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Global aviation has faced significant disruption since Sunday, as ongoing air strikes forced the closure of key Middle Eastern airports. Dubai — the world’s busiest international transit hub — was among the facilities shut down, marking one of the most serious air travel disruptions in recent years.

Major transit hubs, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar, either suspended operations or functioned under strict limitations, with extensive sections of regional airspace closed.

The escalation followed US and Israeli strikes that reportedly Martyrdom Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, intensifying uncertainty across the Gulf. A renewed wave of attacks continued for a third consecutive day, heightening concerns about regional stability and further disrupting air traffic.

In an official statement, the airport authority said: “Dubai Airports announces a limited resumption of flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) starting this evening, Monday, March 2, 2026,” it said in a statement.

Emirates and flydubai confirmed they would restart selected flights on Monday evening. Emirates stated via social media that it would prioritize passengers holding existing bookings, with affected travelers to be contacted directly. The airline also emphasized that all other flights remain suspended until further notice and advised passengers not to travel to the airport unless officially notified. Operations, it added, will be adjusted depending on developments.

Etihad Airways, which operates out of Abu Dhabi, indicated that it plans to resume flights on Tuesday.

Iran’s strikes across Gulf states have targeted military installations as well as civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, hotels, airports, and seaports. Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Manama have all been affected since the offensive began on Saturday. Authorities confirmed one fatality in Abu Dhabi following an incident at the airport.

Earlier, the UAE announced a temporary and partial closure of its airspace as a precautionary measure.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) ranks as the second-busiest airport globally after Atlanta, according to Airports Council International. The aviation sector is a cornerstone of Dubai’s economy, contributing roughly one-third of the emirate’s economic activity, underscoring the significant impact of the current disruption.