TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On April 8, the Iran–US ceasefire officially took effect, providing a brief pause in hostilities. As both nations agreed to open a narrow window of negotiations, global air travel remains disrupted.
On top of the jet fuel shortage, several Middle East hubs are affected by airspace closures, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports. Now in the second week of this conditional truce, travel uncertainty still looms over these major hubs.
If both nations fail to reach a fulfilling agreement, the clock will consequently reset to push everything back even further. In the meantime, it is advisable to postpone travel, but instead, let’s keep an eye on the latest information on Middle East airports below.
Which Airports Face Airspace Disruption?
Since February 28, a number of Middle East airports have inevitably faced the doom of airspace closures, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
At the time of writing, Time Out confirmed that the strenuous restrictions are being lifted gradually. Some operations at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports remain affected.
In early April, Dubai International Airport partially resumed services, with airlines sending official announcements directly to passengers. Meanwhile, both Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Hamad International Airport in Doha maintain a cautious stance, advising only those with confirmed tickets to proceed to the terminals.
While commercial flights at Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport have finally reopened, the situation is subject to change. On the contrary, Kuwait International Airport has kept all operations suspended for the time being.
Flight Status of Major Airlines in the Middle East Skies
For more than a month, major airlines have been adjusting schedules, issuing cancellations, and updating refund protocols. According to data from News AZ, Travel Pirates, and international media as of April 10, the status of major carriers is as follows:
Etihad Airways announced a limited flight schedule through April 30, pending approval from the Civil Aviation Authority. The airline is currently serving 80 destinations, roughly 65 percent of its pre-war network, according to Flightradar24. Eligible passengers may rebook for free of charge or request a refund, depending on their travel dates. The airline also allows a one-time change without fees for select bookings.
Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule due to what it calls the "regional situation," with services running at around 70 percent of normal capacity, according to Flightradar24. The airline advised passengers to check their flight status regularly, even after check-in, as disruptions continue. Passengers with bookings between February 28 and April 30 may rebook or cancel without charge.
Qatar Airways is running a limited flight schedule through June 15 under temporary authorization from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. Its updated timetable reflects a gradual restoration of services to and from Doha, covering major international destinations including Cairo, Miami, New York, London, and Bangkok.
British Airways has suspended multiple routes across the Middle East, with flights from London Heathrow to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv canceled through May 31. Services to Abu Dhabi have also been halted until further notice, while the Doha route is expected to resume at the end of April. The airline is reviewing the situation and contacting affected passengers with options.
Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh through May 31 as it continues to monitor the situation. Affected travelers are being offered options to rebook, reroute, or claim refunds under a ticket waiver policy.
Singapore Airlines has extended its suspension of flights between Singapore and Dubai through April 30 due to the ongoing geopolitical climate in the Middle East. The route has been inactive since February 28, according to the airline’s latest update.
Air travel across the Middle East, including major hubs like Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports, remains in a fragile holding pattern as negotiations continue. Airlines are keeping their schedules lean, with further adjustments expected depending on ground developments.
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