Published on
March 13, 2026
In the midst of the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, which has now persisted for more than two weeks and disrupted travel across the Middle East and Gulf region, commercial airline operations out of Dubai have been closely monitored by industry observers and travelers alike. The region has long functioned as an important global transit hub, and millions of passengers have been affected by cancellations, airspace closures, and shifting schedules since the conflict began. Despite this pressure, a notable level of flight activity has been restored and maintained by major carriers in the United Arab Emirates, most prominently Emirates and Flydubai, which together have been operating hundreds of flights each day as schedules stabilise to meet ongoing demand.
Regional Air Travel Context and Conflict Impact
The outbreak of the Middle East conflict involving Israel and the US against Iran has introduced heightened uncertainties into civil aviation throughout the region. In response to security concerns and temporary airspace closures imposed by various authorities, several airlines temporarily suspended operations or reduced schedules. Routes that usually cross volatile airspace were grounded or rerouted, and travellers faced cascading disruptions as airlines and regulators adjusted to shifting conditions. Travel hubs such as Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) were particularly affected because they serve as connecting points for flights between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Many passengers planning transit through these hubs encountered uncertainty, prompting airlines to adopt phased restoration strategies for scheduled services.
Sustained Flight Activity by Emirates and Flydubai
By March 12 and 13, 2026, operations at Emirates and Flydubai had been notably stabilised compared with earlier disruptions. Emirates, the flagship carrier of the UAE, was scheduled to operate 138 flights on March 12 and 141 flights on March 13 from its Dubai departure points, primarily from DXB. Flydubai, the low‑cost carrier also based in Dubai, operated approximately 65 flights on March 12 and 64 flights on March 13. These figures were drawn from compiled data that tracks aircraft movements and take‑offs, indicating that both airlines were executing a majority of their scheduled services despite the regional turbulence. Airlines beyond these two carriers, including some performing rescue flights and additional scheduled services, were also contributing to the broader flow of passengers in and out of Dubai, although Emirates and Flydubai were identified as most likely to operate according to published schedules during this period.
Extensive Emirates Flight Network in Operation
A comprehensive review of the departure listings revealed that Emirates flights had been departing to a wide range of international destinations across multiple continents on March 12 and March 13. Destinations served included major cities such as New York (JFK), London Heathrow (LHR), Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), Beijing (PEK), Hong Kong (HKG), Seoul Incheon (ICN), Tokyo Haneda (HND), Sydney (SYD), Cape Town (CPT), and São Paulo (GRU), among others. Many of these flights carried multiple codeshare or partner airline identifiers, illustrating the extensive cooperation and interline connections that support the global aviation network even amid disruption.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Flydubai flights similarly connected Dubai with a range of regional and international cities, with departures observed to locations including Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), Warsaw (WAW), Belgrade (BEG), and others. This multi‑city connectivity demonstrated that both carriers were focused on maintaining as much normalcy as possible in scheduled services and were leveraging hubs like DXB and DWC to facilitate passenger transit.
Scheduling Stability Amid Operational Challenges
The overall pattern observed in the flight schedules suggested that the number of daily movements being operated by Emirates and Flydubai had reached a level of consistency after initial volatility. Aviation tracking data indicated that departures and arrivals were largely aligned with planned schedules, and airports were accommodating these flights through revised operational planning. This stabilisation was understood to be sufficient to meet travel demand for the time being, enabling passengers to plan journeys via Dubai with a degree of confidence.
Advertisement
Advertisement
While the number of flights operated did not represent full pre‑conflict capacity, it was widely assessed as an effective interim solution. By maintaining a significant proportion of regular services, Emirates and Flydubai were enabling connectivity between regions that otherwise faced potential vacuum due to airspace restrictions and wider industry adjustments.
Passenger Experience and Transit Considerations
Despite the stabilised schedules, aviation analysts and travellers alike noted that uncertainty remained a factor in transit planning. The regional security environment continued to generate sporadic flight alerts and advisories, including reports of missile or drone threats that briefly paused aircraft movements at times. These alerts occasionally led to temporary holding patterns, delays, or ground waits, adding an element of unpredictability to journeys that crossed sensitive airspace.
Advertisement
Advertisement
As a result, some passengers were reported to be adjusting their bookings or acquiring secondary reservations to ensure travel continuity. For example, travellers with onward connections or return flights through the UAE were seen to be seeking flexible routing options, including booking with multiple airlines or selecting alternate paths to avoid potential scheduling gaps.
Operational Outlook and Industry Response
By mid‑March 2026, Emirates and Flydubai had demonstrated resilience in restoring and maintaining a substantial level of network activity amid broader regional instability. Their ability to operate scheduled flights, connect key global destinations, and provide options for transit passengers was seen as a crucial factor in sustaining international air travel through a major global hub. While the conflict continued to influence aviation dynamics across the Gulf, the observed stabilisation of flight operations offered an important signal of adaptability and response by airlines operating within a challenging environment. Continued monitoring of conditions and schedule updates was anticipated as airlines and regulators collaborated to safeguard passenger movement and maintain connectivity through uncertain times.
