Commercial aviation across the Middle East remained largely paralyzed on Monday as governments rushed to evacuate their citizens from the region following escalating military strikes and retaliatory attacks.
A limited number of outbound flights resumed from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), offering a narrow escape route for thousands of stranded travelers. However, widespread airspace closures and flight cancellations continue to disrupt global travel corridors linking Europe, Asia and Africa.
UAE Restarts Select Flights Amid Regional Closures
Major UAE carriers — including Emirates, Etihad Airways and FlyDubai — began operating restricted services from Dubai and Abu Dhabi after suspending most commercial operations over the weekend.
At least 16 Etihad aircraft departed Abu Dhabi within a three-hour window Monday, heading to international destinations such as London, Paris, Mumbai and Islamabad. Despite the partial restart, airlines confirmed that regular schedules remain suspended, with priority given to previously booked passengers.
Dubai’s airport authority advised travelers to proceed to terminals only after receiving confirmation from their airline, warning that operations remain highly limited.
Massive Flight Cancellations Across the Region
Airspace closures persist over Iran, Iraq and Israel, while Jordan temporarily halted flights. Gulf states including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have imposed partial restrictions that may be extended depending on security developments.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, roughly 13,000 of the 32,000 flights scheduled in and out of the Middle East since Saturday have been canceled.
The disruption has had global ripple effects. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international passenger traffic, handled more than 95 million travelers last year, making it a critical crossroads for long-haul connections.
Following reports of drone-related explosions near Riyadh, inbound flights to King Khalid International Airport were seen diverting or holding midair.
Industry analysts say airlines will not resume full operations until safety risks are substantially reduced.
Stranded Travelers Await Safe Passage
The escalating conflict has left tourists, migrant workers, business travelers and religious pilgrims stranded in airports, hotels and transit hubs.
Some passengers successfully secured seats on the first wave of evacuation flights. Others remain in limbo, scrambling to rebook routes amid shrinking availability.
Sports authorities confirmed that professional athletes competing in Dubai were among those seeking assistance to exit the region. Families traveling through connecting hubs reported running low on essential supplies while awaiting rebooked departures.
Travelers stuck in Tel Aviv and other affected cities described scenes of confusion but expressed relief that evacuation plans are gradually expanding.
Governments Intensify Repatriation Efforts
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Governments worldwide are coordinating emergency responses to bring citizens home.
Israel’s national carrier El Al announced preparations for a large-scale recovery operation once flights resume at Ben Gurion Airport. The airline said stranded passengers would not face additional charges for return seats on designated recovery flights from major global cities.
The United States urged citizens in more than a dozen countries — including the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt — to depart using available commercial options while they remain accessible.
European and Asian governments are also mobilizing aircraft. Germany plans medical evacuations from Oman and Saudi Arabia, while the Czech Republic is dispatching flights to Egypt, Jordan and Oman. Indonesia reported that tens of thousands of its nationals remain in Saudi Arabia after religious visits, calling the situation a significant logistical challenge.
The Philippines raised its travel advisory level for several Gulf states, triggering restrictions on newly deployed overseas workers.
A Fragile Aviation Corridor
The unfolding crisis highlights the vulnerability of Middle Eastern airspace, which functions as a vital artery for global aviation. With multiple flight corridors closed or restricted, airlines face complex rerouting decisions, rising fuel costs and heightened security risks.
For now, only a fraction of normal operations has resumed in the UAE. Aviation experts caution that a broader recovery will depend entirely on security conditions in the coming days.
As governments continue to coordinate evacuations, millions of travelers worldwide remain closely monitoring developments in one of the most strategically important air corridors on the planet.