UAE resumes air traffic after brief precautionary closure amid rising regional tensions

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published March 17, 2026

Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب

Air traffic resumed in the United Arab Emirates after temporary precautionary measures led to a brief closure of the country’s airspace, as regional security tensions escalated and attacks hit Gulf states. State media, citing the General Civil Aviation Authority, said flight operations returned to normal after the precautionary step taken to protect aircraft, crews and national airspace ended.

The resumption came after the UAE Ministry of Defence said it had dealt with missile and drone threats, in a sign that regional tensions are increasingly affecting civilian travel and aviation across the Gulf. International reports also said the closure lasted around two hours before the airspace was reopened.

The return of flights is significant for passengers and airlines given the UAE’s role as one of the region’s main global transit hubs. Still, the resumption of operations does not eliminate the risk of further disruption, as some international carriers continue to reassess their operations amid ongoing military escalation.

Travellers are expected to keep watching airline and airport updates closely in the coming hours, especially as delays or schedule changes remain possible if regional tensions intensify again.