Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, flydubai: How to claim refunds, rebook for UAE flights amid US-Israel war against Iran

Air travel across the Middle East has been thrown into turmoil in recent weeks as escalating regional tensions amid US-Israel war against Iran forced multiple countries to close their airspace, triggering widespread flight cancellations and schedule changes. As thousands of passengers faced disrupted travel plans, major UAE carriers, including Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia, introduced flexible policies to help travellers secure refunds or rebook flights.

Airlines across the region have resumed limited operations but are still dealing with delays and reduced schedules as authorities reopen air corridors cautiously. The situation has left many travellers scrambling to understand their options for refunds, vouchers, and new travel dates.

The disruption stems from escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, amid US-Israel war against Iran, that led to temporary airspace closures across several countries, forcing airlines to suspend or reroute flights along one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors. As safety concerns mounted, carriers cancelled thousands of flights, leaving travellers stranded across major hubs such as Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport.

In response, airlines introduced emergency policies to minimise passenger inconvenience. These measures include free rebooking, travel credits and full refunds for affected bookings. As airlines gradually resume limited services across the Gulf, travellers flying with Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and flydubai have been offered flexible options to manage cancelled or delayed flights. The measures include free rebooking, travel vouchers, and full refunds depending on ticket conditions.

Passengers flying with Emirates whose journeys were cancelled or affected by schedule changes are eligible for flexible travel options.

Passengers whose flights were disrupted can rebook their trip to the same destination without change fees within the special travel window set by the airline. In many cases, travellers with bookings between February 28 and March 31 can reschedule flights until April 30.

If passengers choose not to travel, they can request a full refund, including unused segments of multi-leg journeys.

Passengers are advised not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed flight, as schedules are still changing.

Other regional carriers have implemented similar policies. For example, Etihad Airways has allowed passengers with eligible bookings to rebook or request refunds through an online refund form or their travel agent.

Passengers holding tickets issued on or before February 28 for travel until March 21 can rebook their flights free of charge for travel until May 15.

Etihad is offering full refunds for cancelled flights, including unused portions of connecting journeys.

Passengers can request refunds through:

Etihad has resumed limited operations to about 25 destinations as aviation services gradually restart.

Airlines like Air Arabia have permitted date changes without additional fees within certain time frames. These flexible policies are part of a broader industry effort to reduce travel disruptions as airlines gradually restore operations.

Passengers can change their travel date without penalties within 15 days of the original departure date.

Air Arabia offers three alternatives:

Travellers can manage their bookings via:

The airline has suspended some flights while operating limited services after receiving safety approvals from authorities.

Budget carrier flydubai has also introduced flexible options for passengers affected by disruptions.

Passengers whose bookings were made between February 28 and March 31 can rebook within 30 days of their original travel date without penalties.

Refunds are usually issued as flydubai travel vouchers rather than cash, depending on the ticket type.

Passengers can:

The airline has partially resumed operations with a reduced flight schedule, prioritising passengers with confirmed bookings.

Airlines are urging passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport, as schedules remain fluid while regional airspace restrictions evolve. Travel experts also recommend:

With Gulf aviation gradually stabilising, airlines say these flexible policies are designed to help travellers adjust their plans while safety and operational conditions continue to improve.

Travel experts say passengers should take several steps to ensure their refund or rebooking request is processed smoothly:

Passengers are also advised to travel only with confirmed bookings and keep monitoring airline updates as schedules remain fluid. While airlines have begun operating limited flights again, the aviation sector in the Gulf is still navigating uncertainty. Some services are being prioritised for repatriation and essential travel as authorities evaluate security conditions across regional airspace.

For travellers, the essential message is that flexibility is key. Until full operations resume, passengers flying through the UAE should stay updated with airline advisories and use the flexible refund and rebooking policies available to protect their travel plans.