Full Airline Status — March 18, 2026
Here’s where the major UAE airlines stand as of this morning.
Emirates: The airline is operating a reduced flight schedule from Dubai. Passengers who were booked to travel between February 28 and April 15 and experienced disruptions can rebook onto alternate flights for travel through May 31 or request a refund at emirates.com. If you have a connecting flight in Dubai, do not travel to the airport unless that onward flight is confirmed. Emirates is strongly encouraging passengers to use the app or the “Manage Your Booking” tool online for changes, as call centers are experiencing very high volumes. Always check your flight status at emirat.es/flightstatus before leaving for the airport.
Etihad: Etihad is currently operating a limited schedule from Abu Dhabi to key destinations. Travelers with bookings between February 28 and March 31 can rebook free of charge for travel through May 15, and refunds are available via etihad.com/manage. One important note: online check-in is unavailable until March 21, so passengers should plan to arrive at the airport earlier than usual. Etihad says it is sending alerts directly to affected passengers, but it’s still wise to check etihad.com independently before heading to the airport.
flydubai: The airline is also operating a reduced schedule. Passengers should not travel to the airport unless their flight has been confirmed, rebooked, or they have received a revised check-in time. Customers with bookings between February 28 and March 31 can rebook within 30 days without penalty or request a full refund. If you booked through a travel agent, you’ll need to contact that agent directly for help with rebooking.
Air Arabia: Air Arabia is continuing limited operations from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to select destinations across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Current routes include Vienna, Athens, Milan-Bergamo, Istanbul, Cairo, Nairobi, Dhaka, several cities in India and Pakistan, Colombo, Bangkok, and more. Passengers whose flights were cancelled can rebook, request a full credit voucher, or take a refund. As always, keep your contact details updated so the airline can notify you if your plans change.
Scam Warning: Emirates and Etihad are still warning travelers about fraudulent accounts targeting passengers with disrupted bookings. Fake social media profiles are circulating refund forms and asking for passwords, one-time codes, and payment details. Neither airline will ever ask for sensitive information through social media. For help, use only the official support channels: emirat.es/xdm for Emirates and etihad.com for Etihad.
