Middle East Plunged into Crisis as Iran-Israel Conflict Intensifies
The escalating tensions in the Iran versus US-Israel war have left much of the Middle East grappling with a severe crisis. From aviation to roadways and even local markets, every facet of daily life has been profoundly affected, while authorities work diligently to monitor the volatile situation and restore calm.
Dubai International Airport Paralyzed by Drone Strike
Early Monday morning, the Dubai Media Office reported a drone incident near Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world's busiest airport, which impacted one of the airport's fuel tanks. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. In response, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced a temporary suspension of flights at DXB as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger and staff safety.
Emirates swiftly cancelled all flights to and from Dubai until further notice, advising customers not to travel to the airport and to check for updates. The airline is collaborating with relevant authorities to assess the situation and support a safe resumption of operations when feasible. Some flights from DXB are being diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) amid ongoing disruptions.
Etihad Airways Operates Limited Flight Schedule
Etihad Airways has released a limited flight schedule for March 16, operating to key destinations from Abu Dhabi to accommodate passengers with existing bookings. The schedule includes flights to numerous cities such as Ahmedabad, Atlanta, Bangalore, Bangkok, Barcelona, Cairo, Chennai, Chicago, Cochin, Colombo, Copenhagen, Delhi, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Hyderabad, Jakarta, Jeddah, Karachi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Kuala Lumpur, London, Male, Manchester, Manila, Moscow, Mumbai, Munich, New York, Paris, Phuket, Riyadh, Rome, Singapore, Toronto, Vienna, and Zurich.
The airline has issued critical guidance for passengers: check flight status at etihad.com before traveling, ensure contact details in bookings are updated, and note that tickets issued on or before February 28, 2026, with travel dates up to March 21, may be rebooked free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights until May 15, 2026. Refunds for flights until March 21 can be requested via etihad.com or through travel agents.
Air India and Air India Express Announce Operational Plans
Air India and Air India Express have announced plans to operate a total of 48 scheduled and special flights between India and Gulf countries on March 16, 2026. Both airlines will continue regular services to Jeddah and Muscat, with 10 flights operating between India and Jeddah.
Air India will run return flights from Delhi and Mumbai, while Air India Express will operate services from Bengaluru, Kozhikode, and Mangaluru. Additionally, Air India Express will operate 12 scheduled flights to and from Muscat, including services from Delhi, Kannur, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram, along with two flights from Kochi.
Beyond scheduled operations, the airlines plan to run 26 additional non-scheduled flights connecting India with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Passengers booked on temporarily suspended routes can rebook for a later date without extra charges or request a full refund.
Regional Airspace and Broader Impacts
The airspace in the region, which had closed on February 28 following the outbreak of war, had been gradually reopening with limited flights resuming. However, new developments, including the drone strike at Dubai Airport, have significantly altered conditions, exacerbating the crisis.
This conflict has not only disrupted aviation but also strained daily life across the Middle East, with authorities struggling to maintain stability amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
