5 min readMar 1, 2026 11:51 PM ISTEmirates airplanes are parked at the Dubai International Airport after its closure in Dubai (AP Photo)Flight cancellations in Middle East: Hundreds of thousands of travellers remain stranded at various airports across the Middle East, including Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport, due to the closure of air spaces in the region following war between Iran and Israel. Major airlines have also issued advisories urging passengers to check their flight status before arriving at the airports.Also Read | Iran-Israel war: Airlines which issued fresh advisories for March 2, suspended Middle East flightsAirport operations suspended in Middle East: Is travel to India possible now?If any tourists stranded in the Middle East, particularly in the Abu Dhabi or Dubai, who are planning to return to India, it is not yet possible for them at the moment. This is because several airports in the region, including Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport, have suspended flight operations until further notice. The airport authorities have also advised passengers to check directly with their respective airlines for the latest updates. Passengers stranded by the closure of Dubai International Airport (AP Photo)UAE Airport update: When will international flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai resume?It is still not clear when international flight operations will resume from UAE or Dubai. Several airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have suspended services due to the ongoing airspace closures in the region. The carriers have stated that flights will restart once the airspace is safe and officially reopened. Passengers whose flights were cancelled, wait at the departure terminal of Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon (AP Photo)Stranded in Dubai/UAE/Abu Dhabi? Here’s how to get official informationTo avoid rumours, Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has advised travellers to stay informed through official channels. “The members of the Indian community in the UAE are requested not to fall victim to rumours and fake news about the security situation in the country,” it said. It also issued official handles of the Embassy/Consulate/UAE government authorities for updates:Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi – @IndembAbudhabiConsulate General of India, Dubai – @cgidubaiUAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs – @mofauaeUAE Ministry of Defence – @modgovaeUAE Ministry of Interior – @moiuaeUAE National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority – @NCEMAUAEEmirates News Agency – @WAMNEWS_ENGUAE Government Media Office – @UAEmediaofficeAbu Dhabi Media Office – @ADMediaOfficeDubai Media Office – @DXBMediaOffice Passengers wait in front of the Middle East Airlines counter to rebook or buy new tickets at Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo)Airport closures in Middle East: Should passengers travel to airport for flight updates?No, airlines have advised passengers not to travel to the airport without confirming their flight status. It urged the travellers to check the latest updates on the airline’s official website or through email and SMS notifications before leaving hotels or home for airports.Dubai/UAE Airport closures: Do stranded tourists have to pay extra hotel charges?According to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, guests who have reached their scheduled check-out dates but are unable to travel due to reasons beyond their control are requested to extend their stay until they are able to depart. The department further said that the cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT Abu Dhabi. Passengers stranded by the closure of Dubai International Airport await for assistance in the airport parking lot in Dubai (AP Photo)Dubai Airport shutdown: Ticket refund and rebooking rulesSeveral airlines, including Emirates, have stated in their advisories that passengers booked to travel on or before March 5 have the following options:Story continues below this adRebook on an alternate flight. You can rebook on another flight to your intended destination up to 20 days from your original date of travel. If you booked your flight with a travel agent, please contact them. If you booked with us directly, contact us at http://emirat.es/support.Request for refund. You can request for a refund of your ticket by completing the refund form at http://emirat.es/refund if you booked with us directly. If you booked your flights with a travel agent, please contact them.Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd