
Dubai News LIVE Today: The outbreak of the U.S.–Israel war against Iran has caused widespread flight cancellations across the Middle East, forcing airlines and governments to scramble to assist stranded passengers, as reported by Reuters. Meanwhile, airline shares from New Zealand to Japan have fallen as the conflict pushes fuel prices higher.
Currently, only two airports are partially open for limited operations: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Dubai Airports has managed over 1,140 flights in the past 84 hours to help passengers reach their destinations amid the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict.
Travellers have faced steep costs to leave the region. Some passengers who flew commercially from Oman on Thursday described navigating flights out of Dubai as “absolute chaos.”
Etihad Airways announced that it will resume a limited flight schedule from its main hub in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, starting Friday.
The state-owned airline had operated a small number of flights in recent days, but the latest move indicates a gradual return toward more regular services. Etihad said both previously booked passengers and new travellers would be able to fly, provided that all required safety conditions are satisfied.
The airline also revealed plans to operate flights to more than 70 destinations between Friday and March 19. Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Defense said it destroyed another drone northeast of Riyadh.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence reported early Friday that it intercepted a drone attack aimed at Al Udeid Air Base, which houses the forward headquarters of the U.S. Central Command, AP reported.
In Saudi Arabia, three ballistic missiles fired toward Prince Sultan Air Base, home to US forces, were intercepted and destroyed, according to a spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defence.
Air raid sirens went off in Bahrain, where the Interior Ministry reported that Iranian strikes targeted two hotels and a residential building, though no casualties were reported. In Kuwait, where six US soldiers were killed on Sunday, the army said its air defences were activated after missile and drone attacks breached national airspace, AP reported.
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Three aerial drones hit the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the country’s Defense Ministry said on X. It did not elaborate on where they fell or any damage caused, AP reported.
The UAE’s air defenses destroyed nine ballistic missiles and intercepted a further 109 drones on Friday, the ministry added. Since the start of the war, 205 ballistic missiles and 1,184 drones have been detected in UAE territory, with most destroyed, officials said, as reported by AP.
Air France is extending the suspension of its flights to and from Dubai until March 10, as per Reuters.
Three aerial drones hit the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the country’s Defense Ministry said on X. It did not elaborate on where they fell or any damage caused, AP reported.
The UAE’s air defenses destroyed nine ballistic missiles and intercepted a further 109 drones on Friday, the ministry added. Since the start of the war, 205 ballistic missiles and 1,184 drones have been detected in UAE territory, with most destroyed, officials said, as reported by AP.
Greece said on March 6 it repatriated 315 nationals from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jerusalem and the UAE on March 5. Some 162 had returned from Middle East earlier this week, Reuters reported.
Malaysia Airlines announced it will operate additional flights from Kuala Lumpur to London and Paris from Friday to Sunday to assist passengers affected by travel disruptions. Meanwhile, SriLankan Airlines will run an extra flight between Colombo and London on Sunday, Reuters reported.
Air France is extending the suspension of its flights to and from Dubai until March 10, as per Reuters.
Malaysia Airlines announced it will operate additional flights from Kuala Lumpur to London and Paris from Friday to Sunday to assist passengers affected by travel disruptions. Meanwhile, SriLankan Airlines will run an extra flight between Colombo and London on Sunday, Reuters reported.
In a post on X, Abu Dhabi airport said, “Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport unless they hold a confirmed ticket and are advised by their airline to do so. Airport access will be restricted to confirmed travellers only. The safety and wellbeing of passengers and staff remain our highest priority.”
Some Emirati airlines flights to major international destinations resumed from the United Arab Emirates on Friday, but concerns remain high after a government-chartered Air France repatriation flight had to return on Thursday due to missile activity in the region, as reported by Reuters.
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