Do you think a flight to Dubai is already guaranteed if you have it booked for this week? The reality of the last few days has shown that even confirmed tickets are not enough when airspace closes without prior notice. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for long-haul flights, has experienced total operational halts on several consecutive days since late February.
What has changed is not just operational security, but the passenger rights scenario. Airlines are offering full refunds and changes at no cost, but with conditions that vary by company. If you don’t act in time, you may miss those compensation windows.
Dubai under alert: what is really happening in the airspace
Since February 27, the escalation of conflict in the Middle East has turned the skies of the United Arab Emirates into an emergency management zone. Emirates cancelled 227 of its 236 scheduled flights on March 2, affecting nearly 900,000 seats in a single day. Dubai airport activated its “Irregular Operations Stage 3” plan, with folding beds and food vouchers in terminals for stranded passengers.
The situation has been stabilizing gradually, but the week of March 18 remains unpredictable. KLM is maintaining cancellations until March 28, British Airways has suspended flights to Abu Dhabi until the end of the year, and several airlines are operating only with secure corridors verified in real-time by military radars.
Dubai and the airline map: who is flying, who isn’t, and since when
Cancellations in Dubai do not affect all companies equally. Emirates has resumed limited operations with approved corridors, while Air India has cancelled all its flights to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offering full refunds or date changes without penalty. Etihad Airways, for its part, operates a reduced program from Abu Dhabi with prior authorization per flight.
If your ticket is with a European airline, the most likely scenario is a combination of rescheduled flights and free cancellation options. The key is not to wait until the last minute: rescue seats sell out in hours and compensation windows are tight.
Your rights if your flight has been cancelled or modified
A cancellation due to extraordinary circumstances—such as the closure of airspace due to armed conflict—does not eliminate your right to a full refund of the ticket. What may be suspended is additional compensation for damages (the famous Article 7 of Regulation EC 261/2004), but the refund of the ticket price is always mandatory if the airline cancels. Emirates, Air India, and Etihad have activated waiver policies that go beyond the minimum regulations.
Document everything: save cancellation emails, airline notifications, and any extra expenses generated (hotel, alternative transport). If the airline does not respond within a reasonable timeframe, the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) is the competent body in Spain to file a claim.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai: operational differences you should know
Flying to Abu Dhabi is not the same as flying to Dubai this week. Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) has kept its anti-aircraft defenses on high alert and has recorded drone interceptions in areas near the runways. Air India Express suspended 100% of its operations to Abu Dhabi, while Dubai Airport (DXB) has managed to resume partial flights with higher frequency thanks to its greater logistical capacity.
The Consulate of Spain in the Emirates has raised precautionary recommendations for both cities, urging citizens to stay informed before going to the airport. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs updates travel recommendations in real-time on its official website.
| Airport | Status (week of Mar 18) | Operating Airlines | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai DXB | Limited operations | Emirates (partial), flydubai | Full refund or free change |
| Abu Dhabi AUH | High alert active | Etihad (reduced) | Full refund or free change |
| Both | KLM suspended until Mar 28 | — | Full refund guaranteed |
| Both | British Airways suspended | — | Until end of 2026 at no cost |
| Both | Air India cancelled | — | Refund or new date without charge |
Dubai looking to the future: when will the situation normalize
The aviation market predicts that the progressive normalization of Dubai will occur gradually in the coming weeks, as secure corridors are consolidated and missile and drone activity in the region decreases. Emirates has already announced its intention to recover 100% of its operational capacity as soon as conditions allow, something the airline expects before the second quarter of 2026.
The advice from any travel expert in this context is clear: do not go to the airport without direct and updated confirmation from your airline, activate flight alerts on the company’s app, and consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal before leaving home. Dubai remains one of the most resilient destinations in the world, but this week requires more preparation than ever.
