Dubai, March 7: Major Gulf airlines, including Emirates and Etihad, have initiated a gradual return to service following widespread regional airspace closures. Operations resumed on a limited basis Saturday, with several carriers prioritizing specific “relief corridors” to assist passengers stranded by recent flight suspensions.
Emirates Airlines confirmed in an official statement that it has restarted operations to over 80 destinations, with the goal of returning to full capacity shortly. The carrier noted that passengers with confirmed bookings for Saturday afternoon are cleared to proceed to the airport, including those transiting through Dubai. The airline maintained that passenger and crew safety remains the primary concern and will not be compromised as the operational schedule evolves.
While some progress has been made, Qatar Airways stated that its scheduled commercial operations remain temporarily suspended due to the ongoing closure of Qatari airspace. However, the airline intends to operate specialized flights on March 8 from major hubs like London, Paris, and Bangkok for travelers whose final destination is Doha. These flights are contingent on a safe operating corridor authorized by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.
The disruption continues to impact the broader region, with Oman Air announcing cancellations through Wednesday for several key routes, including Dubai and Kuwait. Rerouted services are currently utilizing Muscat as a primary transit point. Officials from various airlines affirmed that they are monitoring the situation closely and thanked travelers for their patience during this period of significant regional instability.
