Flights resume at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport: What travellers must know now amid Iran-US-Israel war

After days of severe travel disruptions across the Middle East, Abu Dhabi’s main aviation hub Zayed International Airport, has begun resuming limited flight operations, offering cautious relief to thousands of stranded passengers as regional airspace slowly reopens. The restart comes following widespread flight suspensions triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, which forced airlines to halt or reroute services and left major Gulf airports operating under emergency protocols.

Airport authorities announced that limited operations have resumed at the Abu Dhabi airport in coordination with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre (ADCMC).

The carefully controlled reopening follows days of intense coordination between aviation authorities, airlines and government agencies to ensure passenger safety and operational readiness.

Officials described the resumption as a “significant display of resilience” within Abu Dhabi’s aviation ecosystem after a period of disruption caused by regional airspace closures. The move marks the beginning of a gradual recovery for one of the Gulf’s busiest aviation gateways, though authorities have emphasised that operations remain limited and subject to ongoing safety assessments.

During the disruption, authorities in Abu Dhabi implemented extensive measures to assist travellers affected by cancelled or delayed flights. More than 7,000 passengers were accommodated in over 4,300 complimentary hotel rooms across 74 hotels in the emirate while they waited for travel arrangements to resume.

The large-scale hospitality effort reflected the government’s broader crisis-management approach, aimed at ensuring stranded travellers were supported until flights could safely restart. Officials said the primary priority throughout the crisis has been the wellbeing of passengers, airport staff and airline crews.

Despite the reopening, the airport is not yet operating normal commercial schedules. Instead, only a limited number of flights, including repositioning, cargo and repatriation services — are being allowed to operate under strict aviation oversight. Across the region, airlines have resumed only select flights after massive disruptions triggered by conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which forced multiple countries to close their airspace.

Several Gulf carriers have begun running restricted operations primarily focused on repatriation flights and essential travel, while regular passenger services remain partially suspended. The gradual reopening of airports across the UAE, including those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is part of a coordinated effort to stabilise aviation networks in the region.

Airport authorities have issued a clear advisory to travellers: do not arrive at the airport without confirmation from your airline. Passengers holding confirmed tickets are being asked to contact their airline directly for the latest updates on schedules and departure timings before heading to the airport. Given the fluid security situation, flight timings may change with little notice depending on airspace availability and safety conditions.

The aviation crisis began in late February after escalating hostilities in the region led to widespread airspace closures across the Middle East, affecting major travel hubs such as the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. The conflict has disrupted thousands of flights and stranded travellers worldwide, forcing airlines to reroute aircraft and cancel services. Even where operations have resumed, many airlines are relying on designated safe corridors and restricted flight paths to navigate the region safely.

For Abu Dhabi, the reopening of limited flight operations at Zayed International Airport represents a critical first step toward restoring aviation connectivity. However, officials stress that a full return to normal schedules will depend on the evolving security situation and regional airspace conditions. For now, the controlled resumption of flights provides a lifeline for stranded passengers and signals the beginning of a cautious recovery for Gulf aviation after one of the region’s most disruptive travel crises in recent years.