UAE airspace temporarily closed as Middle East war forces widespread flight disruptions

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced a temporary but complete closure of its airspace as a precaution amid the ongoing Middle East war.

The General Civil Aviation Authority said the closure was an “extraordinary precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft and air crews and protecting the territory of the UAE”.

The authority said the move followed a comprehensive review of security and operational risks and was done in coordination with relevant national and international organizations. It added that protecting the safety of the airspace and preserving the sovereignty of the UAE remains its highest priority and updates will be provided as the situation develops.

The move comes after Dubai International Airport resumed a limited flight schedule on Monday morning following a drone strike that hit a fuel depot and sparked a fire. Officials said no injuries were reported from the strike, the fourth drone-related incident at the airport.

The UAE’s defense ministry said in an update on Monday that air defenses had intercepted 300 ballistic missiles and 1,600 drones since the war entered its third week.

The disruption comes amid widespread flight cancellations and rerouting across the Middle East as airlines reassess operations through the region’s increasingly volatile airspace.

British Airways said on Monday it had extended temporary cuts to its Middle East flight schedule due to uncertainty affecting flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv.

The airline said it is keeping the situation under constant review and is in direct contact with affected customers to offer travel options.

The IAG-owned airline operated eight relief flights from Muscat, Oman, and added flights to and from Singapore and Bangkok to support passengers affected by the situation.

— CNBC’s Emma Graham contributed to this report.