Quick take: Limited commercial flights are resuming from major Middle East hubs while governments and airlines organize charter evacuations. Emirates and Etihad have restarted reduced schedules; Qatar Airways is running relief flights from neighboring countries. The U.S. and other governments are coordinating repatriation flights—registrants should be ready to depart quickly. Passengers should confirm bookings, check refund/rebooking options and follow official travel advisories.
Flights Resume and Charters Ramp Up: What Travelers Need to Know About Evacuations From the Middle East
CNN
The backlog of passengers affected by the intensifying conflict in the Middle East is beginning to ease as carriers restore limited services and governments organize charter evacuations. Thousands have departed on commercial flights from major hubs in the United Arab Emirates, but disruption and volatility remain—flight schedules are in flux and many routes are still suspended.
What’s happening now
Multiple governments and airlines are coordinating to move stranded travelers out of the region. The U.S. State Department confirmed that several charter flights are "underway" to evacuate Americans and said the first U.S.-facilitated charter flight left the region on Wednesday, with additional flights to be surged across the area. Emotional reunions at airports worldwide have underscored the urgency and anxiety families are feeling.
Regional airline updates
Emirates: After temporarily suspending operations to and from its hubs, Emirates resumed a limited number of flights on Monday night and is operating a reduced schedule until further notice. Dubai Airports advises passengers not to proceed to the airport unless they have a confirmed departure time from their airline.
Etihad: Etihad expects to resume a "limited commercial flight schedule" on Friday. The airline says customers with existing bookings will be accommodated on flights from Abu Dhabi to key destinations such as Cairo, London, Paris, New York, Rome, Moscow, Madrid and Seoul; all other scheduled Etihad services from Abu Dhabi remain suspended.
Emirates and Qatar Airways planes sit on the tarmac at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in Sydney, Australia, March 3, 2026. - Hollie Adams/Reuters
Qatar Airways: Regular services to and from Doha’s Hamad International Airport remain suspended. Qatar Airways announced it will operate a limited number of relief flights from neighboring countries—starting from Muscat (Oman) to London Heathrow, Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Rome and Amsterdam, and from Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to Frankfurt—to assist stranded passengers.
El Al: Israel’s flag carrier is conducting repatriation flights. Its first rescue flight from Athens landed at Ben Gurion Airport, and the airline said it will place passengers whose flights were canceled on rescue flights at no extra cost.
Lufthansa and other global carriers: Many international carriers are rerouting or suspending flights near the conflict zone. Lufthansa has suspended numerous regional routes; for example, flights to and from Larnaca, Cyprus, are scheduled to resume on March 7, Dubai and Abu Dhabi services are suspended through March 10, and Tehran services are suspended through March 30.
Government actions and consular support
United States: The State Department has urged U.S. citizens to leave several Middle Eastern countries due to serious safety risks. U.S. citizens in specified countries are asked to complete a crisis intake form to receive departure-assistance information. Americans who need help can call the 24/7 hotline at +1-202-501-4444. Nearly 3,000 Americans have registered with the department, which warns registrants to be ready to depart quickly when contacted about evacuation options.
Travelers are advised to check with their airline as soon as possible for information on rebooking and refunds. - Johannes P. Christo/Reuters
Other countries: Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and many EU member states have issued travel advisories and are arranging repatriation flights or evacuation assistance. Canada has advised citizens to leave the UAE as soon as they can secure travel and is organizing buses and flights for nationals; the U.K. asks British nationals in affected countries to register with the Foreign Office; Australia opened an emergency portal and warned of serious travel disruptions; New Zealand is pre-deploying consular staff and two Defence Force planes to prepare for possible evacuations.
Cruise and ship operations
Cruise operators have also been affected. Thousands of passengers and crew remain on ships delayed in UAE and Qatari ports. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 5 is in Doha, and TUI has arranged special flights for some guests. MSC Cruises said MSC Euribia is remaining in Dubai and announced a dedicated flight operation of several charter flights to repatriate guests.
Advice for travelers
- Check your airline or travel agent immediately for rebooking, refunds, or relief flights—policies vary by carrier and high call volumes mean long wait times.
- Register with your home country’s consular services if you are in the region and follow official guidance and alerts.
- Keep travel documents ready and be prepared to depart at short notice when evacuation options become available.
- Monitor trusted sources such as airline websites, official government travel advisories and major flight-tracking services for up-to-date information.
Travelers should expect ongoing disruption while conditions remain uncertain. For now, staying informed and ready to move quickly are the most important steps.
Sources: Airline statements, FlightAware flight-tracking data and government consular advisories as reported by major news outlets.
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