DUBAI – 24 June, 2025
Dubai Airports has officially confirmed that its operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) have fully resumed after a temporary suspension caused by regional tensions. The UAE airspace update follows a series of airspace closures triggered by Iran’s missile strike on the US-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, an incident that disrupted aviation activity across the Gulf.
The UAE, alongside Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, condemned the attack, citing it as a breach of international law and a threat to regional stability. The fallout from the strike affected thousands of travelers, hundreds of commercial flights, and operations across key UAE aviation hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Timeline: What Happened and When
8:43 PM, June 23
Explosions were reported in Doha, and shortly after, Qatar closed its airspace to ensure civilian safety. The closure was in direct response to Iran’s launch of 19 missiles targeting the US military base.
9:50 PM
Kuwait followed suit, temporarily suspending airspace operations. Bahrain made a similar move, citing caution amidst unfolding regional events.
10:02 PM
Saudi Arabia and the UAE released official statements condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with Qatar. Both nations reiterated their commitment to peace and regional security.
10:46 PM
EgyptAir announced flight suspensions to the Gulf. Several other regional carriers, including Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo, halted services.
11:05 PM
According to aviation analytics, at least 26 flights were diverted, with the majority originally bound for Dubai or Doha. Additional delays affected air traffic from Europe and North America.
11:41 PM
Dubai Airports declared full operational resumption, though noted that flight delays and adjustments should be expected as schedules realign.
12:00 AM, June 24
Emirates Airlines confirmed flight reroutes, citing passenger safety and distance from conflict zones as priorities.
1:19 AM
Qatar reopened its airspace, reporting that its defense systems successfully intercepted incoming missiles with no casualties.
2:10 AM
A ceasefire between Iran and Israel was announced by the US. Despite this, airline disruptions persisted as risk assessments continued.
Dubai Airports Responds Swiftly
Dubai Airports, managing one of the world’s busiest international transit hubs, responded proactively. The temporary airspace suspension allowed risk mitigation teams to assess and realign flight paths, minimizing exposure to potential threats.
In its public statement, Dubai Airports confirmed that operations were back at full capacity by late Monday night. However, it advised travelers to expect possible delays or cancellations due to rerouting congestion and extended travel times.
The airport authority emphasized:
“Dubai Airports is working with airlines to ensure flights operate according to approved schedules. All travelers are advised to check the latest updates through the airlines they fly with.”
Effects on Major UAE Airports
✈️ Dubai International Airport (DXB)
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Returned to normal operations early Tuesday.
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Several long-haul flights were rerouted to avoid restricted airspace.
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Passengers, especially those flying to India and the GCC, were advised to double-check departure times.
✈️ Al Maktoum International (DWC)
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Cargo operations resumed, though minor delays persisted in reconfigured flight corridors.
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Some low-cost carriers adjusted schedules for safety.
✈️ Abu Dhabi – Zayed International Airport
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Etihad Airways suspended flights to Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, and Riyadh on June 23.
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Routes to Tel Aviv also remain suspended until July 15.
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Select long-haul flights were rerouted via alternate corridors.
✈️ Sharjah International Airport
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Experienced minimal delays but resumed normal operations.
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Wizz Air Abu Dhabi canceled all UAE services until June 30 as a safety precaution.
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Air Arabia issued advisory notices for travelers bound for GCC destinations.
Airlines: Status & Adjustments
Emirates
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Resumed operations with alternate routing strategies.
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Suspended all flights to Tehran, Baghdad, and Basra through June 30.
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Flights are now operating on paths that avoid all conflict zones.
Etihad Airways
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Suspended flights to Gulf capitals on June 23 and June 24.
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Urged travelers to monitor updates as services to affected cities may resume based on safety clearances.
Flydubai
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Continued limited operations.
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Rerouted several regional flights and asked passengers to confirm schedules before traveling.
Air India
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Ceased all regional operations, including flights to/from the UAE, Europe, and the East Coast of North America.
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Cancellations will remain in effect until further notice.
IndiGo
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Initially suspended services, later resumed limited operations by noon on June 24.
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Affected cities included Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Sharjah, and Kuwait.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
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Canceled all UAE-based flights until June 30.
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Rebooking and full refunds are being provided to affected passengers.
Flight Disruption Ripple Effect
The airspace closure over parts of the Gulf caused widespread global aviation disruptions. Airlines diverted flights via Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Central Asia, extending flight durations and congesting alternate corridors.
Authorities from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European aviation regulators advised commercial carriers to exercise maximum caution in the region.
Travelers reported longer-than-expected flight times, missing connections, and schedule overlaps due to rerouted planes arriving at the same time slots.
Travel Advisory for Passengers
If you’re flying to or from the UAE in the coming days, keep in mind the following:
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Check flight status: Monitor your airline’s website and app for updates.
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Arrive early: Plan extra time for added security and possible boarding delays.
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Stay flexible: Rebooking may be required if your route is impacted by ongoing airspace adjustments.
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Refunds & Rescheduling: Airlines are offering free rescheduling for canceled routes. Terms vary by airline.
Looking Ahead
While airspace has reopened and operations resumed, flight stability may take 48–72 hours to normalize, especially for long-haul routes.
Some airlines continue to operate under heightened security protocols and alternate air routes. Routes involving Tehran, Tel Aviv, Baghdad, and neighboring regions remain under review.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has reassured the public that it is working closely with airlines, military, and international aviation bodies to ensure continued airspace safety.
Conclusion
This UAE airspace update reflects how geopolitical tensions can cause swift and widespread disruptions in aviation. Despite the challenges, UAE authorities and airlines moved quickly to ensure safety while restoring flight operations.
Dubai Airports’ full resumption of operations is a testament to the UAE’s preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and crisis response capabilities.
As the regional situation cautiously stabilizes under a temporary ceasefire, airlines and airports across the UAE remain alert and ready to adapt to changing conditions—always with passenger safety at the core.
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