Air travel across the United Arab Emirates has returned to normal, with authorities confirming that all flight operations have resumed after a brief but tense disruption earlier this week.
The move comes after officials said the situation had stabilised enough to roll back the temporary restrictions imposed on the country’s airspace. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said it had taken the decision after reviewing both safety and operational conditions in coordination with other agencies.
Why UAE airspace was briefly shut
The airspace had been closed as a precaution when the country’s defence systems responded to missile and drone threats believed to have come from Iran. The step, described as exceptional, was taken to safeguard passengers, crew, and infrastructure.
Authorities in Dubai later clarified that loud blasts heard across the city were linked to successful interceptions by air defence systems. Even so, the wider escalation had a spillover effect, including a drone strike that triggered a fire at Abu Dhabi’s Shah gas field.
Officials said the fire has since been brought under control, but work at the facility remains paused while the extent of damage is assessed.
Monitoring continues as tensions persist
The aviation authority said it continues to track developments closely, with real-time monitoring systems in place to respond quickly to any changes in the region’s security environment.
The disruption comes as tensions between the US, Israel and Iran stretch into a third week. The latest round of conflict began on February 28. Since then, there have been repeated attacks across the region.
As flights resume, the GCAA thanked airlines and passengers for their cooperation during the disruption and said its teams remain fully prepared to handle any further developments. It also advised travellers to rely only on official updates for accurate information on flight schedules and airspace status.