MIDDLE EAST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT UPDATES

 

 

8 March 2026
MIDDLE EAST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT UPDATES

Please refer to the Ministry’s general travel advisory for additional information. This advisory is limited to information on commercial airline options. If you are in urgent need of consular assistance, please contact the Embassy of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Abu Dhabi: Emergency Contact: 971 54 255 5363; Email: bahamasembassyuae@bahamas.gov.bs

UPDATE: SECURITY SITUATION IMPACTING TRAVEL

  • GNSS/GPS spoofing and jamming has been confirmed across UAE and Oman airspace. Pilots are relying on terrestrial navigation.
  • Debris hazards from intercepted drones and missiles create ‘falling burning metal’ zones near certain flight paths.
  • Flight corridors may close with little or no warning — flights have been forced to return mid-air when corridors suddenly shut.
  • Airport capacity is severely constrained. Expect long queues, delays, and possible terminal closures.
  • Ticket prices have risen dramatically — some one-way fares from Dubai to London are reported at £4,000+ (approx. $5,300 USD).

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)

Airport Status

Airport Code Status
Dubai International DXB Limited operations resumed
Abu Dhabi (Zayed International) AUH Limited operations resumed
Sharjah International SHJ Limited operations resumed

UAE — Available Airline Options

Over 1,140 flights have departed DXB in the past 84 hours, providing approximately 105,000 outbound seats to more than 80 countries. Confirm all flights with your carrier before proceeding to the airport.

Airline Hub Status Active Destinations Notes
Emirates DXB Limited — Resuming Europe, Asia, North America, Australia Aiming for 100% capacity in coming days. Book via emirates.com.
Etihad Airways AUH Limited — Operating Key European, Asian & Middle East destinations Resumed limited schedule from 6 Mar. Guests with existing bookings prioritised. Tickets at etihad.com.
Air Arabia SHJ / AUH Limited — Operating Austria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Italy, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Limited flights operating subject to regulatory approval.
flydubai DXB Limited Select regional routes Operating limited schedule. Verify all flights before airport travel.
Virgin Atlantic DXB Repatriation only London Heathrow Operating repatriation flights only.
British Airways DXB / via Muscat Limited London Heathrow (via Muscat) BA customers in UAE advised to travel to Muscat for Heathrow departures. Contact +44 203 467 3854.
Finnair DXB / via Muscat Special flights Helsinki (via Muscat) Special flights from Muscat for stranded Dubai pax. First flight Tue 10 Mar 2026.
Air France DXB Suspended – Suspended Dubai flights to at least 10 March 2026.
KLM DXB Suspended – DXB suspended through at least 10 March 2026.
Turkish Airlines DXB Suspended – Cancelled all UAE flights. No restart date announced.

OMAN

Airport Status

Muscat (MCT) is currently the most reliable and accessible departure hub in the entire region. The Southern Bypass corridor runs directly through Omani airspace, making Muscat the preferred gateway for international departures. Travellers from the UAE should consider overland transit to Muscat — allow at least 12 hours before departure due to heavy border traffic and extended processing times.

Airline Hub Status Active Destinations Notes
Oman Air MCT Operating (with cancellations) LHR, IST, BKK, KUL, CAI, BOM, + more Additional flights added to LHR, IST, BKK, KUL, CAI. Regional routes to AMM, DXB, etc. cancelled.
SalamAir MCT Limited — Operating Several destinations Resumed most routes. Iraq/Lebanon/Iran suspended through 15 Mar 2026.
British Airways MCT Operating London Heathrow Departures at 02:30 local on 9, 10, 11, 12 Mar. Call +44 203 467 3854.
Finnair MCT Special flights Helsinki First flight Tue 10 Mar 2026.
Air India MCT Resuming India Limited services resumed after Oman airspace assessment.
Qatar Airways MCT (relief) Limited relief Select destinations Operating limited relief flights from Muscat to aid stranded passengers.
⚠ Overland to Muscat: If you cannot secure a direct flight from the UAE, traveling overland from Dubai to Muscat is possible. Expect significantly extended border crossing times. Arrive at the Muscat airport at least 12 hours before any scheduled departure.

SAUDI ARABIA

Airport Status

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) has become a key transit hub. Flights to and from Riyadh have experienced diversion incidents — verify your flight status directly. Saudi Arabia has experienced periodic disruptions and targeted drone incidents.

Airline Hub Status Active Destinations Notes
Saudia RUH / JED Partial resumption Dubai (DXB), + others Resumed limited Riyadh–Jeddah–Dubai services from 7 Mar.
Qatar Airways RUH (relief) Limited relief Select destinations Operating limited relief flights from Riyadh.
Air China RUH / JED Resuming Beijing, China Air China resumed RUH–PEK. Chinese nationals are prioritized.
IndiGo RUH / JED Limited — Operating India Full fee waiver on cancellations through 31 Mar 2026.
KLM / Air France RUH Suspended – Suspended until at least 10 March 2026.

QATAR

Airport Status

Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha has been under near-total suspension. As of 8 March 2026, Qatar Airways has resumed limited operations from Doha, but the schedule remains severely curtailed.

Airline Hub Status Active Destinations Notes
Qatar Airways DOH Limited — Resuming Select Europe/Asia routes Near-total suspension lifted. Limited departures from DOH as of 8 Mar. Free date changes available.
Iberia DOH (partial) Limited Cairo Service to Cairo available. Monitor iberia.com.

GUIDANCE FOR ALL TRAVELLERS IN THE REGION

Immediate Actions

  • Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: mofa.gov.bs/registration/
  • Contact your airline immediately. Do not go to any airport without a confirmed booking.
  • Keep your passport accessible and mobile phone charged.
  • Consider overland travel to Muscat, Oman — currently the most reliable hub.

Booking & Refund Information

  • Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have extended full refund/free rebooking waivers through 31 March 2026.
  • IndiGo has extended a full cancellation waiver through 31 March 2026.
  • One-way fares from Dubai to London are extremely expensive (£1,000–£4,000+). Budget accordingly.

If You Are Unable to Depart

  • Shelter in place in your accommodation. Do not congregate in open areas or near military infrastructure.
  • Monitor your airline’s official app for rebooking options.
DISCLAIMER: This advisory is based on publicly available information as of 8 March 2026. Flight schedules, airspace conditions, and government advisories are changing rapidly. Please verify flight details directly with your airline.

Last updated: 8 March 2026