Etihad extends flight suspension until March 6 as 6,000 flights are scrapped in Middle East 'aviation shock'

3 minutes of readingUpdated: Mar 5, 2026 07:07 am IST

Etihad Airways said on Wednesday that all its scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remained suspended until 6 am UAE time (7:30 am IST) on March 6.

“In coordination with the UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and security approvals, a limited number of repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights are operating. Some services are available for sale for travel on March 4 and 5, where approvals have been confirmed,” the statement added.

Reiterating that guests should not travel to the airport unless they have purchased or received a confirmed booking in the last 24 hours, Etihad Airways said: “Access to the airport will be restricted to those without confirmed travel documentation.”

Etihad Airways Notice

The notice issued by the airline directed passengers to follow certain rules.

Guests are recommended:

Check the status of your flight on the official website before traveling to the airport.
Please ensure your contact details are up to date on your booking.
Guests holding Etihad tickets issued on or before February 28, 2026, with original travel dates through March 10, 2026, can rebook Etihad-operated flights free of charge until March 31, 2026.
Guests on all Etihad flights until March 10 can request a refund through the official website or through their travel agent.
Guests who booked through a travel agent should contact their agent directly.

Flights that took place on March 2

Etihad Airways flew eight flights on March 2 (according to Flightradar24) that only a few passengers could board. Two flights to Mumbai and Delhi were among the eight flights that took off from Abu Dhabi airport on Monday. The Mumbai flight left at 3:35 pm and the Delhi flight at 3:55 pm.

The first Etihad flight took off at 2:39 p.m. and headed to London. Followed by a 2:50 p.m. flight to Amsterdam.

An Etihad Airways flight took off at 3:02 p.m. to Paris and at 3:12 p.m. to Moscow. The Karachi flight left Abu Dhabi at 3:24 p.m. and the Islamabad flight at 3:45 p.m.

Story continues below this ad.

The airlines most affected

According to flight tracking website FlightAware, Middle East airlines Emirates, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways are among the worst-hit airlines that have plunged the global aviation industry into chaos.

<br />

Out of a total of over 6,000 flights canceled on Wednesday, Emirates recorded the highest number of cancellations at 485, while Etihad Airways, FlyDubai and Qatar respectively canceled 190, 181 and 106 of their flights as of 1.40 pm IST.

The Indian Express’ Express Global Desk offers authoritative, fact-checked and context-based coverage of key international developments shaping global migration politics, policies and trends. The section focuses on stories with direct relevance to Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explanations and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is U.S. visa and immigration policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely follows Canada’s immigration, visa and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residency programs and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All Global Desk reports conform to The Indian Express editorial standards and are based on official data, government notifications, court documents and proprietary sources. The desktop prioritizes clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep experience in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar, Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats: Deputy editor specializing in American politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-based international coverage. Mashkoora Khan: Deputy editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on policy coverage related to Canada studies, immigration and visas. … Read more

Stay up to date with the latest – click here to follow us on Instagram

Click Here to Get More