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Dhaka: The United Arab Emirates is planning to operate hundreds of repatriation flights in the coming weeks to help stranded travelers return home following widespread airspace disruptions across the Middle East.
According to government officials, the plan comes after several days of missile and drone exchanges that triggered large-scale airspace closures in the Gulf region, grounding thousands of flights and leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded.
Dr. Saif Al Daheri of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said authorities are working closely with airlines to gradually restore operations. He noted the government is coordinating with carriers on a phased approach that will soon see up to 300 flights operating to clear the backlog of stranded passengers.
UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said flight services have already begun resuming in stages. Since Sunday, March 1, a total of 60 flights carrying 17,498 passengers have operated from UAE airports as part of the initial phase of recovery. In the next phase, authorities plan to operate more than 80 flights daily, which are expected to transport over 27,000 passengers.
To support the restart, the UAE has worked with neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the International Civil Aviation Organization to establish emergency air corridors allowing aircraft to safely transit the region.
Meanwhile, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has initiated what it described as “exceptional” flight operations at the country’s airports to facilitate the departure of stranded travelers. Passengers have been advised not to proceed to airports unless their airline has contacted them directly with confirmed flight details.
The disruption is considered one of the region’s largest aviation crises since the COVID-19 pandemic. Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimated that about 13,000 of roughly 32,000 scheduled flights into and out of the Middle East since Saturday have been canceled.
UAE authorities also said the government will support affected passengers by covering accommodation, living expenses, and visa arrangements until their travel plans are resolved.
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