Is Dubai International Airport Open on March 25? Flights Operating as Storm Warning Hits

Where Things Stand Today

The weather situation is a serious factor. Roads in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have flooded, with residents scrambling for shelter and emergency services issuing safety alerts. Dubai Police has specifically warned that thunderstorms are expected across the country today, Tuesday March 25, and is urging residents and visitors to rely only on official sources for information and avoid unnecessary travel.

Emirates has advised all passengers departing Dubai between March 23 and March 27 to allow extra time for the journey to the airport, citing rain, reduced visibility, and difficult driving conditions. Dubai Airports also encouraged travelers to allow extra travel time when heading to the airport.

Source: Screenshot from DXB via X

The Weather Picture Through March 27

The UAE's National Center of Meteorology is warning of unsettled weather through March 27, with periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms, hailstones, strong winds, and blowing dust reducing visibility at times. Roads have already flooded in places, and the most difficult conditions are expected today, Thursday, and Friday. Gusts could reach up to 60 km/h by Friday.

For American travelers, this kind of rainfall is genuinely unusual for Dubai. The city is not built for heavy rain the way US cities are, which means even moderate flooding can make roads unpredictable quickly. If you are coming from a hotel outside the city center, traveling between emirates, or relying on a taxi or rideshare, build significantly more time into your journey than you normally would. Under these conditions, getting to the airport is the biggest variable.

Airlines are adjusting their guidance accordingly. flydubai is asking passengers to arrive at least four hours before departure. Emirates continues to recommend a minimum of two hours, though given the combination of flooding and security conditions, the safer approach is to treat four hours as your baseline this week.

What Emirates Is Operating Today

Emirates continues to run a reduced schedule, operating around 60% of its pre-war capacity. The airline is aiming to restore full operations by March 29, subject to the security situation. City check-in locations across Dubai remain temporarily closed.

Passengers with bookings between February 28 and April 15 can rebook for travel up to May 31 or request a refund via emirates.com. Check flight status at emirat.es/flightstatus within one hour of leaving for the airport.

Full Airline Status — March 25, 2026

Here’s where the major airlines stand as of this morning:

Emirates: Operating a reduced schedule from Dubai. As one of only two carriers permitted to operate at DXB under the foreign airline ban, Emirates remains the primary option for travel through Dubai. Passengers booked between February 28 and April 15 can rebook for travel up to May 31 or request a refund via emirates.com. Do not go to the airport without a confirmed booking. Check emirat.es/flightstatus within one hour of departure.

Etihad: Operating a limited number of commercial flights to select destinations from Abu Dhabi. Passengers are urged to check flight status before traveling and not arrive at the airport without confirmation. Passengers with bookings February 28 through March 31 can rebook free until May 15 or request a refund via etihad.com/manage. Online check-in is now available again as of today.

flydubai: Operating a reduced schedule from Dubai alongside Emirates. Passengers should not go to the airport without a confirmed departure time. Customers with bookings February 28 through March 31 can rebook within 30 days at no penalty or request a full refund. Contact your travel agent if you booked through one.

Air Arabia: Operating limited flights from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to select destinations in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Europe through April 15. Passengers on cancelled flights can rebook, request a credit voucher, or take a full refund.

Middle East Airlines: Operating scheduled services between DXB and Beirut.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines: Operating scheduled services between DXB and Dhaka.

US-Bangla Airlines: Operating scheduled services between DXB and Dhaka.

Air Sial: Operating between DXB and Lahore, with some delays reported this morning.

IndiGo: Operating select routes based on safety assessments and regulatory clearances. Verify flight status before departure.

Air India and Air India Express: Flights to and from DXB remain suspended.

British Airways: All flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Amman, and Tel Aviv cancelled through May 31. Abu Dhabi flights suspended until October. Doha until April 30. BA is operating additional flights to Singapore and Bangkok for disrupted passengers.

Lufthansa Group: Flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Erbil, and Beirut suspended until at least March 28. Tel Aviv until April 9. Tehran until April 30. Riyadh until April 5. Includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways. Eurowings has separately extended its Dubai and Abu Dhabi suspension through June 27.

Qatar Airways: Operating a limited special schedule from Doha through March 28, reconnecting Doha with more than 70 destinations. Approximately 70% of departures from Hamad International remain cancelled. Passengers with bookings February 28 through March 28 are eligible for two complimentary date changes or a refund.

KLM: Not flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Israel, nor over several Gulf countries. Flights to Dubai and Riyadh suspended through March 28. Tel Aviv suspended for the remainder of the winter season.

Air Canada: Flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv currently suspended, with restart planned for March 23. Passengers can rebook to the same destination or reroute to Europe, UK, India, or Africa at no extra cost through December 15.

United Airlines: All flights to Dubai suspended until April 19. Passengers who purchased tickets on or before February 28 with travel dates between March 8 and April 19 can reschedule with fees and fare differences waived.

Turkish Airlines: All flights to the UAE suspended until at least the end of March. Passengers booked before February 28 have until May 10 to request a refund, change their reservation for free, or extend their ticket.

IndiGo: All flights to and from Dubai suspended until further notice. Passengers should check flight status and monitor notifications through registered contact details.

Wizz Air: Flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Jeddah from mainland Europe suspended until mid-September.

Oman Air: Flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab cancelled through March 31. Some special flights are operating to move stranded passengers.

Philippine Airlines: Manila to Dubai route suspended until at least March 28. Rebooking and refund options available on the airline's website.

Virgin Atlantic: Seasonal Dubai service suspended for the remainder of winter. Riyadh flights also paused and being assessed on an ongoing basis.

Cathay Pacific: All flights to Dubai and Riyadh cancelled until April 30.

Japan Airlines: Tokyo to Doha suspended through March 31.

Scam Warning: Emirates and Etihad continue to warn passengers about fraudulent accounts targeting people with disrupted bookings. Fake social media profiles are circulating fraudulent refund forms and requesting passwords, one-time codes, and payment details. Neither airline will ever ask for sensitive information through social media. Emirates support only at emirat.es/xdm. Etihad support only at etihad.com. Do not share booking details publicly.

Before You Go to the Airport

A few non-negotiables before heading out:

• Do not go to the airport without a confirmed booking

• Adverse weather is expected through March 27, so allow extra road time

• Check your flight status within one hour of leaving, not the night before

• If your flight was cancelled, wait for the cancellation notice from your airline

• Do not share booking details or personal information on social media

• Emirates support: emirat.es/xdm only

• Dubai Airports WhatsApp: +971 4 224 5555

• Dubai Airports live chat: dubaiairports.ae/contact-information

Flights are moving at DXB today, but there are a few things to consider. Flooded roads, active air defences, and a reduced flight schedule all mean the smartest thing you can do is leave early, check your status before you walk out the door, and give yourself more time than you think you need.

We're watching this and will update the article as new information becomes available through official channels. For the most up-to-date information, travelers are encouraged to monitor the following official accounts on X: Dubai Media Office, Dubai Airports, Emirates, and Etihad

Frequently Asked Questions: Dubai Airport March 25, 2026

Is Dubai Airport open on March 25?

Yes. Dubai International is open and flights are operating. Emirates, flydubai, and several other carriers including Middle East Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, and Air Sial have scheduled services today.

Is there a weather warning for Dubai Airport this week?

Yes. Dubai Airports and Emirates have both issued advisories warning of adverse weather between March 23 and March 27. Rain, low visibility, and strong winds are expected to affect road access and potentially flight operations. Arrive early.

Is the missile threat still active at Dubai?

Yes. The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed on Sunday that air defence systems intercepted 7 ballistic missiles and 16 drones launched from Iran.

Were any aircraft damaged at Dubai Airport?

Yes. The Wall Street Journal has reported that an Emirates Airbus A380 and a Saudia Airbus A321 were damaged while parked at DXB during Iran's initial drone attacks earlier in the conflict.

Are most international airlines still suspended at Dubai?

Yes. Most major international carriers remain suspended at DXB. Some smaller regional carriers are operating, but airlines including British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, United, and Air Canada remain suspended.

When will Emirates restore its full schedule?

Emirates is aiming to restore full operations by March 29, subject to the security situation. The airline is currently operating around 60% of its pre-war capacity.

Did Air Canada restart Dubai flights today as planned?

Air Canada had March 23 listed as its planned restart date, but its website continues to advise passengers not to head to the airport. Confirm directly with Air Canada before traveling.

What should I do if my flight was cancelled?

Contact your airline directly rather than waiting for outreach. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia are all offering rebooking and refund options. If you booked through a travel agent, contact them directly.

How do I avoid scams while trying to rebook?

Use only official airline websites and support channels. Emirates support is only at emirat.es/xdm. Etihad support is only at etihad.com. No airline will contact you through social media DMs or ask for passwords or payment details.