Middle East Aviation Crisis Day 4: Dubai & Abu Dhabi Begin “Limited Resumption” — But US Embassy Riyadh Hit By Drones THIS MORNING, State Dept Issues “DEPART NOW” for 14 Countries, Saudi Flights Re-Suspended — Everything You Need to Know Right Now

🔴 BREAKING — Tuesday March 3, 2026 | Day 4 of the Middle East Aviation Crisis | Updated continuously

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⚠️ CRITICAL UPDATE — Read This First

This article was written to cover Dubai’s “limited resumption” that began Monday evening. Overnight, the conflict escalated sharply. Here is what happened while you were sleeping — and why the “good news” of limited flight resumption is now overshadowed by a significant new development:

• The US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was hit by two Iranian drones early Tuesday morning, causing a limited fire and minor material damage. The embassy building was empty at the time, and no casualties were reported.
• The US Embassy issued a “shelter in place” notice to US citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, and cancelled all consular services across several missions in Saudi Arabia.
• Mora Namdar, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, issued a statement calling on Americans to “DEPART NOW” from Israel, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Yemen and Jordan “due to serious safety risks.”
• Six US service members are confirmed killed in action. Three US F-15 jets crashed over Kuwait in an apparent friendly fire incident. Eleven people have been killed in Israel. Deaths have also been reported in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain.
• Iranian drones struck an Australian military facility south of Dubai in the UAE. Australia’s Defence Minister confirmed all personnel were accounted for.
• Trump said the US military operation was expected to last “four to five weeks” but could go “far longer.” Secretary of State Rubio said the next phase would be “even more punishing.”

The bottom line for every traveller reading this article: The partial resumption of flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi that began Monday evening is real but fragile. The conflict is not de-escalating — it is widening. Saudi Arabia, which appeared to be on the periphery of the crisis, is now directly under drone attack. Every airline, every airport, every routing assumption from 24 hours ago must now be reassessed.

Do not assume “limited resumption” means “back to normal.” It does not.

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What “Limited Resumption” Actually Means: The Four Words Hiding the Full Story

Dubai Airports confirmed that a limited resumption of operations began at DXB and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) on the evening of Monday March 2. But Dubai Airports reiterated that no one should travel to the airport unless they have been contacted specifically by their airline with a confirmed departure time.

“Limited resumption” sounds like the beginning of the end of the crisis. The actual numbers tell a different story.

More than 80% of flights scheduled to and from Dubai and more than half of the flights to and from Abu Dhabi remained cancelled, even as the limited resumption began, according to flight tracking data.

Read that again. Four days into this crisis, with the media reporting “flights resume,” the world’s busiest international airport is still operating at less than 20% of its normal capacity. The remaining 80% of flights — hundreds of thousands of passengers — remain grounded.

This is what “limited resumption” means in practice:

• A handful of carefully selected repatriation and priority routes operating
• Every passenger without a direct contact from their airline: still grounded
• The backlog of cancelled flights from Days 1, 2 and 3: not yet cleared
• The conflict that caused the closure: actively escalating as of this morning

The phrase is accurate. It is also, for most passengers, deeply misleading.

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Flight by Flight: What Is Actually Operating Right Now

Emirates — Selective Priority Flights Only

Starting on the evening of March 2, Emirates began operating four of its Russian routes from Dubai International Airport. Flights from Somalia and Pakistan are also operating inbound to DXB.

Emirates confirmed it is accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority. Those rebooked to travel on these limited flights are being contacted directly. The airline stressed: “Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified. All other flights remain suspended until further notice.”

Emirates will begin operations to Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad on March 2 and 3 from Dubai — primarily repatriation-focused services for the large Indian expatriate community stranded in the UAE.

What this means for you: If you are booked on Emirates and have not received a direct contact from the airline — email, SMS, or notification in the Emirates app — your flight is still suspended. The flights operating are not Emirates’ published commercial schedule. They are a curated, safety-vetted list of repatriation and priority departures. Emirates’ commercial network carries approximately 250,000 passengers per day. The aircraft currently operating represent a fraction of 1% of that number.

flydubai — Four Russian Routes + Inbound Repatriation

flydubai confirmed operations including four outbound departures to Russian cities — Moscow (VKO), Kazan, Yekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk — along with inbound services from three Pakistani airports and Hargeisa in Somaliland to facilitate returns. Like Emirates, flydubai urged customers to avoid travelling to the airport unless directly notified of a confirmed departure.

Etihad — Abu Dhabi Partial Operations, Commercial Flights STILL Cancelled

Etihad Airways confirmed that some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights are operating in coordination with UAE authorities. However, all scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remained cancelled.

Etihad said its services will begin from March 4 for commercial passengers. Tickets issued on or before February 28, 2026 with travel dates up to March 7 may be rebooked free of charge on Etihad-operated flights until March 18.

Relief flights by Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi to Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and Bengaluru operated on March 2 — focused exclusively on returning stranded Indian nationals.

What this means for you: If you are booked on a commercial Etihad flight today, March 3, your flight is still cancelled. Etihad’s announced March 4 commercial restart is now subject to reassessment in light of this morning’s Riyadh embassy attack and the widening conflict.

Air Arabia — Suspended Until Wednesday March 4 at 3pm UAE

Air Arabia has temporarily suspended all flights to and from the UAE until 3:00 pm UAE time on Wednesday March 4, 2026, with flights to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraq suspended until March 5. Limited flights may operate subject to operational and safety approvals — affected passengers will be contacted directly.

Qatar Airways — Still Fully Suspended

Qatar Airways has not announced a resumption date. Doha’s Hamad International Airport remains in near-total suspension. Qatar is one of the countries under active Iranian attack and the US Embassy “DEPART NOW” advisory covers Qatar. There is no confirmed restart date.

Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)

Sharjah Airport Authority announced the limited resumption of flights at Sharjah International Airport, carried out under a defined operational schedule in coordination with airlines and the relevant entities, with safety and smooth service remaining top priorities.

Oman Air — All Gulf Routes Cancelled March 3

Oman Air has said that all flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen and Baghdad are cancelled for Tuesday March 3. Other flights are operating as scheduled but delays are expected.

Saudia — NEWLY SUSPENDED Following Riyadh Attack

Saudia had cancelled flights to and from Amman, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Moscow and Peshawar until late Monday. Following this morning’s drone attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh and the Saudi government’s confirmation of strikes on Saudi territory, Saudia’s suspension is expected to extend further. Passengers with Saudia bookings should check saudia.com immediately.

Wizz Air — Suspended Through March 7

Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Saudi Arabia up to and including March 7.

Turkish Airlines — Major Gulf Suspension Continues

Turkish Airlines has cancelled flights to and from Bahrain, Dammam and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria and the UAE. With Riyadh now directly under attack, Turkish Airlines’ Saudi suspension is likely to extend beyond its current window.

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The “DEPART NOW” Order: What It Means Country by Country

The US State Department’s “DEPART NOW” advisory — issued Tuesday morning — is one of the most sweeping emergency travel warnings in American diplomatic history. It covers 14 countries simultaneously.

The 14 countries under “DEPART NOW” orders are: Israel, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, and Iran.

This represents the most comprehensive simultaneous departure advisory the State Department has issued since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

What “DEPART NOW” means in practice:

A “DEPART NOW” advisory is the highest level of emergency guidance the State Department can issue for civilian travellers. It means:

1. The US government believes the immediate threat to life for civilians in those countries is severe enough that they should leave immediately, using any available means of transport.
2. US embassies and consulates in those countries are operating on emergency protocols — non-essential consular services are suspended. If you need urgent consular help (lost passport, medical emergency, arrest), you may face significant delays.
3. Travel insurance coverage under most standard policies is affected — some insurers treat a DEPART NOW advisory as a war zone declaration, which can void certain coverage types. Check your policy immediately.
4. For travel insurance purposes, this advisory is the trigger event that activates emergency evacuation coverage in most comprehensive policies.

For non-American travellers: The equivalent advisories from the UK FCDO, Australian DFAT, and Canadian Global Affairs have been updated to “Do Not Travel” for most of these same destinations. The US advisory is the most urgent framing of the same underlying reality.

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The Riyadh Attack: Why It Changes Everything for Travellers

This morning’s drone attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh is not just a diplomatic incident. For aviation, it is a fundamental signal that the conflict has now spread from the original Iranian retaliation against UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain into the heart of Saudi Arabia — the country whose airspace carries the largest volume of alternative routing for flights between Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Here is why Saudi Arabia’s aviation status matters so deeply:

When UAE and Qatar airspace closed on February 28, many airlines attempted to reroute via Saudi Arabian airspace, which had remained partially open. Saudi Arabia was positioned as the “safe corridor” alternative. That corridor is now under direct attack.

Two Etihad Airways flights headed to Abu Dhabi were rerouted to Muscat in Oman, while an Emirates flight en route to Dubai appeared to be returning to Mumbai. Flights approaching Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport were also seen holding in the air or turning back to their points of origin following reports of the attack on the US Embassy.

The US Embassy in Kuwait was also struck by drones this morning, according to Arab News sources citing AFP.

The implication for aviation is severe: the two primary alternative routing corridors — Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — are now under attack. This leaves Omani airspace and the northern Turkish-Central Asian corridor as the only remaining viable east-west alternatives — both of which add 90 to 180 minutes of flight time and significant fuel cost to every operated service.

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The Backlog Problem Nobody Is Talking About

Even if the conflict stopped today — even if every airspace in the region reopened tomorrow morning — the aviation recovery from this crisis would take 10 to 14 days minimum. This is the number that passengers planning travel in March need to understand.

Here is why:

Aircraft are out of position. Emirates alone operates approximately 270 widebody aircraft. After four days of suspensions, the majority of those aircraft are parked at DXB or at outstations where they were stranded when the closure hit. Getting every aircraft back to its scheduled rotation requires dozens of ferry flights, which themselves require overflight permissions through the same airspace that remains closed or contested.

Crews are out of position and at rest limits. Flight crews have mandatory rest requirements after operating — or in some cases, simply after reporting for duty when flights were cancelled. A crew that reported for a Dubai-London service on February 28 and spent three days in a hotel is now beyond their legal duty period. They must rest before they can fly. There are not enough spare crews in position to operate a full schedule on the first day of reopening.

The booking backlog is extraordinary. An estimated 20,000 passengers are housed in UAE hotels alone. Tens of thousands more are waiting for rebooking across the global network. The region’s aviation sector, which transports millions of passengers per day, has come to a near-standstill. Clearing that backlog while simultaneously operating new arrivals means every seat on every departing flight will be fought over by both stranded passengers and new travellers for weeks.

The June 2025 Iran airspace closure — a far smaller event — required 12 days to stabilise and a further 5 to 7 days to clear the booking backlog. This crisis is four to five times larger by passenger impact. The realistic recovery timeline, assuming the conflict begins to de-escalate this week, is full normalisation by mid-to-late March at the earliest.

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Updated Waiver Status: What Each Airline Is Offering as of March 3

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Country-Specific Guidance for Travellers Currently in the Region

🇬🇧 British Nationals

The FCDO advises against all travel to UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Israel and Lebanon. FCDO emergency consular line: +44 207 008 5000 (24 hours). If you are in the UAE and need help, register your presence at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates and contact the British Embassy Dubai: +971 4 309 4444.

🇺🇸 American Citizens

The State Department has issued “DEPART NOW” for 14 countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Israel. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is your most important resource — enroll at step.state.gov if you have not already. Emergency line: +1-888-407-4747 (within US) or +1-202-501-4444 (international).

🇦🇺 Australian Citizens

DFAT Smartraveller has issued “Do Not Travel” for UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. DFAT Emergency line: 1300 555 135 (in Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (international). Australian nationals in the UAE should contact the Australian Consulate-General Dubai: +971 4 508 7100.

🇨🇦 Canadian Citizens

Global Affairs Canada advises against all travel to UAE, Israel and Qatar. Emergency Watch and Response Centre: +1-613-996-8885 (24 hours). Canadians currently in the UAE should register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service at travel.gc.ca.

🇮🇳 Indian Nationals

The Indian Embassy in UAE has been coordinating repatriation flights actively. A Dubai flight landed safely at Chennai International Airport early Tuesday morning as part of the repatriation operation. Indian nationals requiring consular assistance in the UAE should contact the Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi at +971 2 449 2700 or Indian Consulate Dubai at +971 4 397 1333.

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The Three Scenarios: What Happens Next for Aviation

Scenario A — Conflict Stabilises This Week (Most Optimistic)

If diplomatic channels open and Iran pauses its retaliation campaign, UAE and Saudi airspace could begin genuine reopening by March 6–7. Full commercial schedule restoration at DXB would take until approximately March 17–20. Booking backlog clears by end of March.

Probability assessment: Low as of Tuesday morning, given the escalation to Riyadh and Trump’s “four to five weeks” comment.

Scenario B — Conflict Continues at Current Intensity (Most Likely)

The conflict continues at a “managed” level — no further escalation but no resolution. UAE maintains limited flight operations. Saudi Arabia experiences periodic disruptions. The partial corridor through Oman and Turkey sustains a fraction of normal routing. Full normalisation delayed to early April.

Probability assessment: Moderate to high. This scenario means March 2026 becomes the worst month for global aviation since the Covid-19 shutdowns of March 2020.

Scenario C — Further Escalation (Tail Risk, Now Elevated)

The Riyadh embassy attack provokes a US counter-escalation. Further Gulf state airports sustain direct or debris damage. Omani airspace is drawn into the conflict zone. The entire Middle East — including the northern Saudi–Turkish corridor — becomes non-viable for commercial aviation routing.

Probability assessment: Was low on Day 1. Now elevated by this morning’s events. Cannot be discounted.

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Do NOT Go to the Airport Unless You Have Been Directly Contacted

This guidance, repeated by every airline and every airport authority since Day 1, bears repeating on Day 4 because thousands of passengers are still showing up at Dubai International without airline confirmation.

Dubai Airports has been explicit: travellers are advised not to proceed to DXB or DWC unless they have been contacted directly by their airline with a confirmed departure time, as schedules remain subject to change.

What “directly contacted” means: an email from the airline to your booking address, an SMS to your registered phone number, or a push notification from the airline’s official app — all citing your specific flight number and a confirmed new departure time.

What it does NOT mean: a news headline saying “Emirates resumes flights.” A social media post from an airport. A third-party flight tracker showing aircraft movements at DXB. A friend who heard that “flights are back.” Your original booking still showing in the app without a changed departure time.

If you go to the airport without airline confirmation, you will not be allowed to check in. You will join thousands of passengers waiting at airport counters for rebooking that cannot be processed until your airline contacts you. You will waste hours — possibly days — that you could have spent at your accommodation or hotel managing your situation more effectively.

Stay where you are. Monitor your airline’s app and official email. Wait for direct contact. Only then go to the airport.

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Immediate Action Guide by Situation

You are currently stranded in the UAE:

1. Do not go to the airport without airline confirmation.
2. Register with your country’s embassy or consulate immediately using the contacts above.
3. Contact your airline via their app or website — not by phone (lines are overwhelmed).
4. If you are running low on medication or have a medical emergency, contact your country’s embassy first — they have priority consular protocols for medical situations.
5. Keep all receipts for accommodation, meals, and transport. Most airlines will reimburse reasonable expenses under duty of care.
6. Do not book alternative flights at inflated walk-up prices unless you have first exhausted your right to free rebooking from your original airline.

You are booked to fly to the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Bahrain this week:

1. Your flight is almost certainly cancelled or suspended. Check your airline’s app NOW.
2. Do not go to the airport.
3. Request a full refund via your airline’s website — not a voucher, not a credit, a full cash refund.
4. If you booked a package holiday: contact your tour operator, not just the airline. Package Travel Regulations give you stronger rights.
5. Check your travel insurance for emergency departure coverage, medical coverage, and cancellation coverage under the government advisory trigger.

You are booked to fly through Dubai or Doha as a transit hub to another destination (e.g., London to Sydney via Dubai):

1. If it is a single ticket: your airline must rebook you to your final destination at no extra cost, or offer a full refund for the entire ticket.
2. If it is two separate tickets: contact each airline separately.
3. Alternative hubs currently fully operational: Singapore (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG), Istanbul (IST), Tokyo (NRT/HND), Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Expect elevated prices and reduced availability.

You are booked for travel in 2–4 weeks:

1. No action required today — most waivers do not yet extend to late March.
2. Monitor the situation daily.
3. Do not cancel your own ticket. Do not book expensive alternatives.
4. Reassess in one week based on how the conflict develops.

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For More Resources

• Emirates Official Travel Updates: https://www.emirates.com/english/help/travel-updates/
• Etihad Airways Travel Alerts: https://www.etihad.com/en/fly-etihad/travel-updates
• flydubai Operational Updates: https://www.flydubai.com/en/information/flight-status
• Dubai Airports Official Site: https://www.dubaiairports.ae
• UAE GCAA Official Statements: https://www.gcaa.gov.ae
• US State Dept — Depart Now Advisory: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
• US STEP Enrollment (Americans Abroad): https://step.state.gov
• UK FCDO Middle East Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• Australia Smartraveller — UAE: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/middle-east/united-arab-emirates
• Canada Travel Advisory — UAE: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-arab-emirates
• FlightAware Live Tracking: https://www.flightaware.com
• FlightRadar24 Live Tracking: https://www.flightradar24.com

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Related Articles

• Middle East Aviation Meltdown — Day 1–3 Full Coverage: 19,000 Flights Disrupted, Dubai Closed, Emirates & Qatar Airways Suspended
• Is Dubai Airport Open Today? March 2 Live Update — DXB Status, Emirates Suspension, When Flights Resume
• 115,000 Australians Stranded: Emirates, Qatar Airways & Etihad Waiver Guide
• UK & Europe Waiver Guide: British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa — Full Refund & Rebooking Guide

Posted By : Vinay

As a lead contributor for Travel Tourister, Vinay is dedicated to serving our Tier 1 audience (US, UK, Canada, Australia). His mission is to deliver precise, fact-checked news and actionable, data-driven articles that empower readers to make informed decisions, minimize travel risks, and maximize their adventure without compromising safety or budget.