In response to escalating regional tensions, the United Arab Emirates' General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has officially closed the entire national airspace as of 13:00 local time on 28 February 2026. This unprecedented measure suspends all commercial flights, including arrivals, departures, and over-flights, effectively making UAE airspace a no-fly zone except for military and emergency movements.
Major carriers operating in the region, such as Etihad Airways based at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, have canceled all flights until at least 14:00 on 1 March, with warnings of further delays. Several foreign airlines, including Qatar Airways and British Airways, have announced suspensions or rerouted flights to avoid the Gulf area, citing safety advisories from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency classifying the region as high-risk for civilian aircraft.
This airspace closure adds to existing operational difficulties faced by airlines since the Russian skies were shut in 2022 and Houthi drone activity increased over the Red Sea in late 2025. Airlines are now required to recalculate fuel, crew duty times, and alternate routes for flights connecting Europe and Southeast Asia, many of which previously relied on direct or shortcut routes over the UAE FIR. Aviation insurers are adjusting war-risk premiums, likely leading to higher ticket prices once flights resume.
Many multinational firms with fly-in/fly-out personnel have activated their emergency communication protocols, advising employees to postpone non-essential travel and verify visa validity for neighboring Oman or Saudi Arabia as rerouting options. Involuntary overstays caused by cancellations are expected to be excused by the UAE authorities if passengers retain relevant documents such as boarding passes and airline confirmation emails.
Travelers needing to reroute through other Gulf states or extend their stay are aided by VisaHQ, which offers updated entry requirements and expedited visa processing — details available on their website. The GCAA states that coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and neighboring states is ongoing, with phased reopening dependent on security and missile defense assessments. Travel managers are urged to monitor official NOTAMs and airline feeds for accurate updates, as third-party flight tracking may lag behind official directives.
