Dubai Airports has begun a phased restart of flight activity, confirming that limited airport operations resumed by the evening on 2nd March at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), with only a small number of services operating as schedules are rebuilt.
In a passenger advisory issued on its official airport website, Dubai Airports urged travellers not to go to the airport unless they have received a confirmed departure time directly from their airline, warning that timetables remain fluid while airlines reposition aircraft and crews.
Travellers are experiencing the most significant disruption to global air travel since the pandemic, with grounded flights, airspace closures, and logistical backlogs.
First departures focus on India and select regional routes
Early signs of the restart were visible on the evening of 2 March, with reports showing an Emirates departure to Mumbai among the first outbound services from Dubai, followed by additional departures to other Indian cities.
flydubai also began restoring parts of its network, with initial flying reported to include destinations in Russia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe as the airline and airport operators gradually reopened capacity.
Why operations were restricted
Dubai’s two airports had previously suspended flight operations from February 28, amid wider regional airspace constraints and security developments that triggered extensive cancellations and passenger disruption across the Gulf and beyond.
The UAE’s move to allow a limited restart on March 2 was also reported internationally, as authorities and airlines worked to manage stranded travellers and gradually restore aviation flows under evolving operational conditions.
What passengers should do now
Dubai Airports and airlines are continuing to manage the restart cautiously. Travellers are being advised to:
- Wait for direct confirmation from their airline before travelling to DXB or DWC
- Monitor airline apps/websites for real-time changes (delays, cancellations, terminal reassignment)
- Expect continued rolling adjustments as capacity is scaled and networks are rebalanced
Travel agents are working tirelessly to support customers during this fast-moving situation. Wealthy holidaymakers are paying up to £100,000 to escape the Middle East via private jet following the closure of major airports or driving approximately 10 hours to reach operational airports in Oman and Saudi Arabia
