Dubai airports return to normal operations after airspace restrictions lifted

Air operations at Dubai’s airports are gradually returning to normal following the lifting of restrictions in the airspace of the United Arab Emirates, according to Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths.

Aviation authorities said the UAE airspace has been fully cleared, with regular flights resuming after the removal of temporary restrictions that had been introduced earlier amid the war with Iran, Reuters reports.

Despite disruptions caused by the conflict, Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports have continued operations, handling over six million passengers, more than 32,000 aircraft movements, and in excess of 213,000 metric tons of cargo, while travel demand through Dubai remains robust, Griffiths added.

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international passenger traffic, handled 18.6 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, down from the same period last year.

The head of Dubai Airports said the infrastructure is prepared to gradually increase capacity and support airlines during the recovery period, despite the ongoing effects of regional instability.

By Jeyhun Aghazada