Last updated: Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Evolving security developments and temporary airspace measures are causing significant disruption through major hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.
This is a fast-moving operational event affecting airlines, airports, tour operations, cruise connections, hotels and passenger welfare across multiple markets.
In moments like these, the travel industry’s job becomes deeply practical: keeping travellers safe, supported, and accurately informed, while avoiding speculation.
This special edition of Rihlat Travel News is designed as a B2B action guide: current status, the most important updates for the trade, and what to do next for impacted passengers:
TL;DR for Agents
- Direct stranded clients to follow airline + airport welfare instructions first (eligibility and process may vary by carrier and location).
- Advise clients not to self-book new hotels unless instructed, as reimbursement rules can differ by scenario.
- Keep a documentation trail: airline notices, booking screenshots, and welfare communications.
- Do not send clients to the airport unless they have a confirmed operating flight or have been contacted by the airline.
- Reconfirm both air and cruise status before clients depart.
UAE and QATAR Government Hotels + Meals Support for Stranded Passengers
The UAE has confirmed it will cover accommodation and essential costs (including meals) for over 20,000 stranded passengers impacted by the disruption.
“In light of the current circumstances and given that some guests have reached their check out date but are unable to travel for reasons beyond their control, you are kindly requested to extend their stay until they are able to depart.” –A circular issued to hotels from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).“The cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT Abu Dhabi.”
In a circular issued to hotel managers on 2 March, Qatar Tourism has followed the UAE requesting hotels extend stays for guests unable to depart. It confirmed, “cover the additional costs incurred, as the safety, security and wellbeing of all visitors remain among our highest priorities”.
How to support stranded clients
- Request hotel confirmation in writing for: extended stay terms, meal inclusions, late check-out, and safe transfer options.
- Ask hotels to provide a simple “disruption letter” for client documentation.
[New] UAE Residency Permits
From 16 March 2026, and with immediate effect, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP) has issued a temporary directive stating the following:
UAE residents currently outside the UAE whose residency permits expired on or after 28 February 2026 can return to the UAE without a valid re-entry permit or residency permit. This directive is valid for one month, from 28 February 2026 until 31 March 2026.
[Updated] Air Travel: Current Status & Operational Reality
Dubai Airports update following temporary airspace closure on 16 March
Please find below the latest operational updates at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central, Al Maktoum International (DWC), as of 17 March 2026 following the temporary partial closure of airspace. Find the latest updates HERE.
“Dubai Airports confirms the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International (DXB) to selected destinations, following the temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights.” – Dubai Airports spokesperson
This remains a network disruption across Europe–Asia–Africa routings and beyond, not a single-destination issue.
- Emirates
- Current status: Emirates are operating a reduced flight schedule due to last-minute closures and re-openings due to regional conflict. A limited number of flights out of Dubai on select routes primarily for repatriation and essential travel are still going ahead. Currently most scheduled services remain cancelled, and the airline advises passengers not to travel to the airport unless contacted directly.
- Customers who have travel booked between 28 Feb – 15 April are able to request a refund directly or via travel agent or rebook a different flight due to depart before 31 May 2026.
- Latest official Emirates updates HERE.
- Etihad Airways
- Current status: Etihad Airways has resumed a limited commercial flight schedule, operating between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations. All other scheduled commercial services to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended. Additional destinations will be added and communicated as conditions permit.
- Guests holding Etihad tickets issued on or before 28 February 2026, with original travel dates up to 31 March 2026, may rebook free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights up to 15 May 2026.
- Latest official Etihad Airways updates HERE.
- Oman Air
- Current status: Oman Air has cancelled flights to and from the following destinations: Amman (AMM), Dubai (DXB), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Dammam (DMM), Kuwait (KWI), Copenhagen (CPH), Baghdad (BGW), and Khasab (KHS) until 31 March 2026.
- Latest official Oman Air updates HERE.
- Saudia
- Current status: Saudia still has cancellations of flights to and from multiple regional cities (including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, Moscow, Peshawar and Bahrain) as Middle East airspace closures continue; passengers should check with the airline for route-specific details and waivers.
- Guests with journeys that include a connection through Jeddah or Riyadh and onward travel that is temporarily unavailable, subject to availability, may choose to: Resume the journey once services reopen, be reaccommodated on an alternative Saudia routing or nearest airport, or choose the “Travel later” option, which keeps the ticket protected for a future trip with no fees.
- Saudia has shared a dedicated Flight Status page to check your flight status HERE.
- Latest official Saudia updates HERE.
- Air Arabia
- Current status: A limited number of Air Arabia flights to and from the UAE have started again subject to operational and safety approvals. Passengers scheduled on operating flights will be notified directly.
- There are limited flights between Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and a variety of destinations across Austria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Italy, jordan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Oman, Sri Lanka, and others.
- Passengers booked on cancelled flights are eligible for one of the following options; one free date change within 15 days, a full credit voucher, or a full refund to the original form of payment.
- Latest official Air Arabia updates HERE.
- flydubai
- Current status: flydubai has resumed limited services on select regional and international flights from Dubai under controlled conditions; overall schedule restoration remains partial and dependent on official airspace clearances.
- Customers are advised not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking or official confirmation of a rebooked flight.
- Travellers who have booked between 28 February and 31 March are able to rebook to the same destination up to 30 days from the travel date with no penalties, or cancel the booking and request a full refund with no penalty charges.
- Latest official flydubai updates HERE.
- Gulf Air
- Current status: Current status: Gulf Air has suspended operations to and from Bahrain International Airport to the closure of Bahraini airspace, with plans to resume only when safe and approved airspace corridors are available; ongoing monitoring is in place.
- There are some temporary commercial flights to and from Bahrain via King Fahad International Airport in Dammam. Transport between Bahrain and Dammam will be arranged for passengers with confirmed tickets.
- Passengers on all Gulf Air flights until 28 March 2026 may request a refund.
- Latest official Gulf Air updates HERE.
- Kuwait Airways
- Current status: Kuwait Airways’ inbound and outbound commercial flights are suspended as Kuwait International Airport remains affected by airspace closures and facility impacts; evacuation or limited services may be implemented under government direction to return Kuwaiti citizens where possible.
- Latest official Kuwait Airlines updates HERE.
- Qatar Airways
- Current status: Qatar Airways are still suspending scheduled flights due to the closure of Qatari airspace; rebooking in phases continues via official channels and updates are published as safety assessments change.
- A revised number of flights are expected to start from 19 March – 28 March 2026 according to the following schedule.
- Latest official Qatar Airways updates HERE.
- flyadeal
- Current status: flyadeal has cancelled a range of flights to and from Dubai, Damascus, Amman, and Peshawar up to 31 March and 22 March respectively. Due to regional airspace closures, affected passengers will be informed of any changes to their booking or schedule via email and SMS.
- Latest official flyadeal updates HERE.
Government advice & “what to monitor”
For global agents: even if the client’s destination isn’t in the Middle East, itineraries may still be impacted via network effects. Official travel advisory guidance reflects this.
Monitor (official first):
- Airline disruption pages + apps
- Airport status pages
- Civil aviation authority announcements
- Embassy/foreign affairs advisories for your client’s passport nationality
- Activity and operator social media for booked activities and tours
Quick Links:
- UAE Ministry of Interior (@moiuae)
- Ministry of Defence (@modgovae)
- UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (@GCAAUAE)
- Dubai Media Office (@dxbmediaoffice)
- Abu Dhabi Media Office (@ADmediaoffice)
- Dubai Airports (@dubaiairports)
- Abu Dhabi Airports (@ad_airports)
Immediate action checklist for agents & tour operators
1) Review departures (next 14–21 days)
Identify any client itinerary transiting Middle East hubs (including separate tickets).
2) Confirm “who owns the ticket”
- If booked via agency: manage via your airline/trade channels and GDS queues.
- If booked direct: client should start with the airline app/Manage Booking (call centres are overloaded).
3) Prepare for tour impact
Disruptions may present as:
- Late arrivals/split groups
- Reduced numbers on day 1
- Itinerary changes or missed connections
4) Document everything
Store all disruption-related correspondence and the timing of notifications.
Refund, waivers & insurance: what to say (and what not to promise)
Airline waivers & flexibility
Keep updated on rebooking/refund windows by carrier and date range (these are shifting frequently).
Insurance
Insurance companies continue to caution that disruption linked to war/hostilities can be excluded, and eligibility depends on the PDS and circumstances.
False promises
Do not make promises you cannot support with written documentation from the provider/airline/hotel directly. Take screenshots with dates/times on them if referencing policies and legal rights.
Here’s a copy/paste template to help:
“Please check your policy wording (PDS) and confirm coverage directly with your insurer. For flight cancellations and re-accommodation, the airline is typically the first point of remedy via waivers/refunds/rebooking.”
Key priorities
This is a rapidly changing disruption being managed in phases. The most trade-critical priorities right now are:
✔ Passenger welfare and calm, verified communications
✔ Expect disruptions, cancellations, and delay
✔ Do not direct clients to airports without confirmed operating flights
✔ Leverage airline waivers and keep documentation
✔ Use the UAE government support measures appropriately (hotels/meals) and follow the instructed process
We will continue monitoring official statements and supplier updates and share further developments as conditions change where we can. In the meantime we hope those in our industry, and their travellers remain safe and supported during this time.
