Emirates Airlines issued a critical customer advisory on February 28, 2026, announcing temporary suspension of ALL operations to and from Dubai International Airport due to widespread regional airspace closures triggered by the escalating Iran-Israel-US conflict.
Crisis Timeline & Airline Response
15:43 Dubai time (19:13 IST): Emirates halted flights following Iranian missile barrages targeting U.S. bases in UAE (Al Dhafra), Bahrain (Fifth Fleet), Qatar (Al Udeid) after Israel-U.S. strikes on Tehran nuclear sites. Airspace shutdowns now span 8+ countries – Iran, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Iraq (partial).
Key Disruptions:
- Total Dubai Shutdown: World’s busiest transit hub paralyzed
- Passenger Advisory: Check flight status; contact agencies for rebooking
- Global Impact: Europe-Asia routes crippled (Russia/Ukraine airspace already closed)
Major Carriers Affected
| Airline | Action | Routes Impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | ALL Dubai flights suspended | Global network |
| Qatar Airways | Doha operations halted | Middle East/Europe |
| Air India/IndiGo | West Asia flights suspended | Gulf/Israel |
| SriLankan Airlines | 10 Middle East flights cancelled | Colombo-Dubai/Abu Dhabi |
| Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways | Rerouting via Saudi | Europe-Middle East |
Safety First Protocol
Emirates emphasizes passenger/crew safety priority amid IRGC retaliation risks, Trump “major combat operations,” and cascading flight denials (Air India Express Trichy-Dubai turned back). Update contact details via Manage Your Booking essential.
