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UAE aviation sector recovers as local carriers expand to around 150 destinations
Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia serve most major cities across continents amid regional conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran
- PUBLISHED: Tue 17 Mar 2026, 9:00 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
UAE airlines are operating flights to around 150 cities worldwide, albeit with reduced schedules, as the country’s aviation sector recovers amid the ongoing military conflict in the region.
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The latest data available on UAE airlines’ websites show that Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia are serving most major cities across continents – Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
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Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, is operating to over 90 destinations alone, serving almost all major cities around the globe. This includes multiple flights to key destinations such as London, Paris, Hong Kong, New York, Mumbai and Karachi, among others.
The Sharjah-based budget carrier Air Arabia lists over 50 destinations across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and parts of Europe.
Similarly, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is serving more than 40 major cities worldwide.
Due to airspace restrictions in the UAE and other Gulf countries amid the ongoing regional conflict, UAE airlines are being forced to operate reduced flight schedules.
In addition to UAE carriers, airlines from other countries such as India and Pakistan are also operating limited and irregular flights to key UAE airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Al Ain and Sharjah.
Given the volatile situation in the region, airlines sometimes cancel or reschedule their limited flights.
For instance, Emirates, flydubai and some other Asian carriers rescheduled or cancelled flights on Monday after a drone incident at Dubai International Airport resulted in the suspension of operations for a few hours.
Passengers have therefore been advised to head to UAE airports only after receiving confirmation from their airline regarding flight departures.
According to data shared by aviation analytics company Cirium, nearly 30,000 departing flights have been cancelled across the Middle East since the regional conflict broke out on February 28, accounting for 50 per cent of total scheduled flights.
