Dubai Airports open; resumes limited flights as thousands stranded amid Middle East tensions

Following joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile sites on 28 February 2026, the Gulf crisis intensified into a regional conflict, with Iran launching retaliatory missile attacks on US bases and civilian areas in the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. The unrest forced the closure of multiple Middle Eastern airspaces and the suspension of thousands of flights, leaving numerous international travellers, including several prominent Indian actors, stranded at key transit hubs.

Dubai Airports has now announced a limited resumption of flights from both Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport beginning this evening, Monday 2 March 2026. 

In a statement issued earlier today, the operator confirmed that services at the two hubs will gradually restart following recent disruptions. The phased resumption is expected to restore a number of departures and arrivals, although operations will remain subject to ongoing assessments.

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Passengers have been strongly advised not to travel to the airport unless they have been directly contacted by their airline to confirm their updated departure time. Dubai Airports stressed that flight schedules may continue to change at short notice and urged travellers to check with their respective carriers before making their way to the terminals.

Further updates are expected as operations continue to stabilise.

Attacks in the Middle East (visuals)

Actors stranded in the crisis

Recent escalations in the Israel–Iran conflict left several prominent actors stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures across the Middle East likeAjith Kumar , Sonal Chauhan. Esha Gupta, Nargis Fakhri, among others.