Emirates and Etihad Partially Resume Flights Following Regional Airspace Closure

Key Facts

1Emirates and Etihad Airways have begun a partial resumption of flights following a 3-day regional airspace closure.

2The shutdown was triggered by US–Israeli strikes on Iran, which upended global air travel.

3Emirates is still not taking connecting traffic, prioritizing passengers already in the emirate.

Emirates and Etihad Airways have initiated a partial resumption of flight operations following a three-day closure of regional airspace. The disruption was triggered by US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, which significantly impacted global air travel routes. While operations are restarting, Emirates continues to suspend connecting traffic to prioritize passengers currently grounded in Dubai. This gradual return to service follows a period of intense geopolitical volatility that forced major Middle Eastern aviation hubs to shut down. Analysts suggest that while the resumption is a positive step, the suspension of transit flights will continue to weigh on airline revenues. The ongoing conflict remains a critical factor for regional tourism and logistics, influencing market sentiment across the DFMGI and ADXGI indices.