The ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict that erupted in late February 2026 has heavily fragmented Middle Eastern airspace, forcing major UAE carriers to drastically alter their global operations. Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia are maintaining their core networks but operating on significantly reduced schedules. The military escalation has severely disrupted global supply chains. Carriers are now relying on narrow air corridors to safely navigate the region.
As of April 23, 2026, safety remains the overriding priority for the aviation sector. Emirates is currently flying to more than 100 global destinations. Etihad Airways continues to serve around 80 routes. Airlines are actively warning passengers of longer flight durations. Transit times have increased as aircraft must map longer flight paths to avoid restricted military zones. Carriers are urging travelers to constantly monitor their flight statuses before departing for the airport.
The regional instability has triggered soaring jet fuel prices. Oil markets remain volatile amid Middle East blockades, heavily impacting operational costs for all active airlines.
How European Carrier Suspensions Reshape Gulf Hub Traffic
While Gulf carriers are working to keep key routes open, the international aviation response is sharply divided. Major European competitors have taken a far more extreme approach. British Airways, Air France, and the Lufthansa Group have completely suspended or severely reduced their flights to Dubai and the wider Middle East.
This operational divide is further cemented by regional regulators. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended its conflict-zone advisory, explicitly warning airlines to avoid large swathes of Middle Eastern and Gulf airspace until at least April 24, 2026. The agency cited the high risk of military spillover and interception failures as the primary driver for the sustained aviation strain.