How the UAE and Indian carriers are tackling the growing Gulf crisis

Here are the UAE’s top 5 developments:

1. The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted nine ballistic missiles and 109 drones on Friday. Authorities detected nine missiles on March 6 and destroyed them all. Of the 112 drones identified, 109 were intercepted and three fell on UAE territory. Since the start of the Iranian attacks, the United Arab Emirates has detected 205 ballistic missiles, destroying 190. Thirteen fell into the sea and two landed inside the country, according to Reuters. Air defenses also detected 1,184 Iranian drones, intercepting 1,110, while 74 fell within UAE territory. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.
2. According to officials in those countries, at least 1,230 victims have been confirmed in Iran, more than 120 in Lebanon and about a dozen in Israel.
3. Schools and institutions in the UAE have been ordered to start early spring break and some exams have been canceled as a precaution. Meanwhile, Etihad Water and Electricity said essential public services across the country remain uninterrupted.
4. Dubai Airports said that more than 1,140 flights have been facilitated in the last 84 hours at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Airports have partially reopened for limited operations to help stranded travelers amid the current crisis. Between March 2 and March 5 alone, more than 500 flights departed from DXB and DWC, providing around 1,05,000 departure seats to more than 80 countries. Authorities urged passengers to periodically check the status of flights with their airlines.
5. The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism said that hotels, resorts, cultural attractions and shopping malls remain open and continue to welcome visitors while complying with regulatory and safety standards.

Aviation Updates:

Air travel across the Middle East remains severely disrupted as several airlines suspend or modify operations due to airspace closures.

Germany’s Lufthansa said it was reallocating aircraft capacity from 10 canceled routes in the Middle East to other destinations such as Singapore and Bangkok. Chief Executive Carsten Spohr said the conflict once again highlighted the vulnerability of global air travel to geopolitical tensions.

Several airlines have begun limited operations as airports partially reopen. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has resumed a restricted flight schedule from March 6 to 19, operating services between Abu Dhabi and several global destinations including Cairo, Delhi, London, Frankfurt, New York, Paris, Moscow, Toronto and Zurich. The airline also operates flights to Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Indian carriers are also managing disruptions. SpiceJet is operating special flights from the UAE to bring back stranded passengers, including services to Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and Pune. In the last three days, the airline has already operated 25 such flights.

Meanwhile, IndiGo canceled 144 flights scheduled for March 7 due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East, but extended free cancellation waivers until March 31.

Dubai-based flydubai is expected to resume flights to Israel next week to support evacuation efforts, according to Reuters.

Missiles and military upgrades.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base. Bahrain said its air defenses have intercepted 78 missiles and 143 drones since the conflict began.

US President Donald Trump appeared to rule out negotiations with Iran, saying any potential deal would require an “unconditional surrender” from Tehran. In a separate statement, he also expressed support for Iranian Kurdish forces in Iraq launching attacks against Iran.