Abu Dhabi — Zayed International Airport (AUH), the main gateway to the United Arab Emirates capital, is partially operational as of March 6, 2026, following several days of significant disruptions tied to escalating regional tensions in the Middle East. While the airport itself remains open and has resumed limited flight activity since early March, major carrier Etihad Airways has extended its suspension of all scheduled commercial passenger flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 6 a.m. UAE time on Friday, March 6.

A picture taken on January 24, 2022 shows Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE which has come again under attack by Yemen's Huthi rebels
A picture taken on January 24, 2022 shows Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE which has come again under attack by Yemen's Huthi rebels

Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of Zayed International (also known as Abu Dhabi International Airport), confirmed partial resumption of operations beginning March 2, 2026, in coordination with the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Center - Abu Dhabi, and airline partners. The move followed widespread airspace closures across the region, initially triggered by military developments involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which led to temporary halts and safety-driven restrictions.

Official airport advisories emphasize that access remains restricted: passengers are strongly advised not to travel to the airport unless they hold a confirmed ticket and have been explicitly instructed by their airline to proceed. Terminal entry is limited to confirmed travelers only, with the primary focus on safety for passengers and staff. The airport's website and social media channels continue to urge real-time checks via airline apps or flight status tools before heading to the facility.

Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi's flag carrier and the dominant operator at AUH, has maintained that all regular scheduled commercial services remain suspended through the early hours of March 6. The airline cited ongoing regional airspace disruptions as the reason, prioritizing safety amid volatile conditions. A limited number of special flights — including repositioning, cargo, repatriation and humanitarian-oriented services — have continued operating under strict approvals. These have helped repatriate stranded passengers and maintain essential connectivity, with reports of dozens of such flights in recent days, including routes to key destinations like London, Paris, Moscow, Mumbai and Dhaka.

Earlier suspensions evolved rapidly: initial halts began around March 1 amid immediate airspace concerns, with extensions announced through March 3, then March 5, and now into early March 6. Etihad has activated flexible rebooking policies, offering no-penalty changes or refunds for affected bookings, and has urged passengers to monitor etihad.com or contact support directly rather than arriving unconfirmed.

Other airlines with presence at AUH have followed similar cautious approaches, though specific schedules vary. Some international carriers have operated occasional repatriation or ferry flights during the partial resumption window. The broader UAE aviation sector, including Dubai's airports, has seen comparable limited recoveries, with Emirates and flydubai gradually restarting reduced services focused on repatriations.

The disruptions stem from heightened geopolitical risks, including reported incidents such as drone interceptions near facilities and airspace restrictions imposed for security. One early March event linked to regional conflicts resulted in limited casualties at UAE airports, heightening precautions. Authorities have coordinated extensively to balance safety with the need to assist affected travelers, including support networks for thousands of impacted passengers across the emirate.

As of midday March 6 (local UAE time), no full resumption of normal commercial schedules has been announced. Flight tracking platforms show sporadic activity at AUH, primarily non-scheduled or approved exceptional operations. Weather conditions at the airport remain stable, with no additional meteorological factors complicating matters, according to aviation monitoring sites.

Travelers planning to use Zayed International Airport should:

  • Verify flight status directly with their airline, as schedules can change rapidly.
  • Avoid heading to the airport without confirmation to prevent access denial or unnecessary congestion.
  • Use official channels like the Zayed International Airport website (zayedinternationalairport.ae), Etihad's flight status page, or the UAE Fast Track app for arrivals processing where applicable.
  • Prepare for potential delays, re-routings or alternative arrangements if traveling in the coming days.

The situation underscores the aviation sector's vulnerability to geopolitical events in the Gulf region. UAE authorities continue close monitoring, with expectations that fuller operations could resume once airspace stability improves. For now, the airport functions in a controlled, limited capacity — open in the technical sense but far from normal commercial rhythm.

Passengers affected by cancellations are encouraged to explore rebooking options or refunds through their carriers. The priority remains passenger welfare amid an uncertain regional environment.

Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad have reiterated commitments to transparent updates, with further announcements anticipated as conditions evolve. Travelers worldwide are monitoring developments closely, as the hub's status impacts connections across Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond.