Airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad have issued fresh travel advice as flights remain suspended or operate on reduced schedules following escalating Middle East tensions
19:45, 09 Mar 2026Updated 21:31, 09 Mar 2026
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Fresh guidance has been released for travellers in the Middle East as the Iran conflict intensifies. As hostilities in the Middle East approach their tenth day following the outbreak on February 28, airlines have published updated travel advice for those attempting to return to the UK.
The crisis erupted when US-Israeli missiles struck Tehran, killing its supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Iran subsequently retaliated, launching its own missiles across Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The circumstances have forced flights to remain grounded owing to the security threats and potential for drones in the airspace. Thousands of British nationals have been left stranded across the Middle East, including Dubai which has appeared on the UK government’s ‘no travel list’, unless journeys are essential.
The Foreign Office stated: “FCDO advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).”
The UK government also cautioned: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption. Stay away from areas around security or military facilities.”,
Airlines including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have now released updated travel guidance for their flights. Whilst some services are steadily restarting, numerous routes will remain suspended or at minimum operating on reduced schedules, reports The Express.
Middle East airlines – latest
The Dubai-based carrier Emirates announced it has commenced operating a reduced flight schedule following the reopening of portions of regional airspace.
A spokesperson stated: “Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating.
“Please do not go to the airport unless you hold a confirmed booking for these flights.”
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways is running limited services to London Heathrow and Manchester from Abu Dhabi, but has also cautioned that “all other scheduled commercial services to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended.”
Qatar Airways is running one daily service between London Heathrow and Doha, however “scheduled flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace”.
European airlines latest
Virgin Atlantic did resume its services from Dubai to the UK. However, a recent 16-hour service, dubbed the ‘flight to nowhere’, was compelled to turn back to London Heathrow, prompting the airline to cancel flights until the end of the season (March 28).
Meanwhile, British Airways is presently unable to run services to Dubai and has instead been operating limited flights from Oman to London.
Passengers with British Airways bookings to Dubai before March 15 have been given the option to alter travel dates without charge or request a full refund.
Air France has suspended services between Paris and Dubai until March 10, stating operations will only restart following a fresh safety assessment. KLM has put a halt to flights to Dubai, Dammam and Riyadh until March 10, steering clear of several Middle Eastern airspace corridors due to safety concerns.
Lufthansa has also suspended flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi until March 10, with a number of other Middle East routes temporarily on hold.
Holiday firms latest
Most travel operators are offering Brits the option to cancel their Dubai holidays for a full refund following the destination’s addition to the UK’s “all but essential travel” list.
Travel company Loveholidays has cancelled all trips departing to Dubai, or via Dubai, up to March 15 and is providing full refunds.
Customers with Emirates flights until March 31 can also cancel for a refund, whilst holidays utilising Virgin Atlantic flights have been cancelled until the same date.
The firm has also temporarily stopped selling Dubai holidays until May, although June departures remain available.
Meanwhile, TUI stated that customers scheduled to travel to the UAE within the next week will be contacted to discuss their options.
On the Beach has also temporarily cancelled UAE holidays and is offering affected travellers a full refund.