Emirates airline has begun to gradually expand a special flight schedule at its Dubai base, although a return to regular flight operations is still not foreseeable due to the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf.
Following the reopening of parts of the regional airspace to civilian traffic under strict security conditions, the company is operating a reduced schedule until further notice. Over 100 takeoffs and landings were coordinated for March 5th and 6th, 2026, to transport stranded passengers and ensure the supply of critical cargo. These flights are being conducted subject to dynamic security assessments, as the military situation in the region remains highly volatile.
Besides passenger transport, a major focus of current flight operations is the logistics of pharmaceutical products and perishable goods. Dubai International Airport (DXB) serves as a central hub for the international supply chain, which was severely disrupted by the previous complete airspace closures. Additional industry reports indicate that Emirates is increasingly utilizing corridors over Saudi Arabia and Egypt to circumvent the danger zones over Iran and Iraq. However, these diversions result in significantly longer flight times and more complex fuel calculations, further straining the airline's capacity.
The security situation is being continuously reassessed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and regional authorities. While Emirates is attempting to stabilize operations, many European and American airlines are maintaining their suspension of flights to the Gulf region. Experts point out that the current partial reopening primarily serves to evacuate transit passengers stranded at hub airports. A full return to regular scheduled services is not expected until a lasting diplomatic solution guarantees the security of international air routes. Until then, travelers should expect short-notice changes and a limited number of available flights.
Emirates has established dedicated information channels and goodwill arrangements for affected passengers. Due to the extremely tight booking situation caused by the reduced flight frequency, the airline is prioritizing rebookings for passengers with urgent travel needs. At the same time, maintenance of the grounded portion of the fleet is being intensified to ensure a rapid response should the situation de-escalate further. The economic impact of the conflict on Dubai's aviation sector is already significant, as its strategic position as a link between East and West is directly threatened by the hostilities.