UAE temporarily closes airspace as Middle East war forces wider flight disruptions

<p>The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday <a href="https://www.wam.ae/en/article/174hylu-uae-temporarily-closes-its-airspace-exceptional">announced a temporary but full closure</a> of its airspace as a precaution amid the ongoing Middle East war.</p>
<p>The General Civil Aviation Authority said the closure was an "exceptional precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of flights and air crews, and safeguarding the UAE's territory, amid rapidly evolving regional security developments."</p>
<p>The authority said the move followed a comprehensive review of security and operational risks and was made in coordination with relevant national and international bodies. It added that protecting airspace safety and preserving the UAE's sovereignty remain its highest priorities, and that updates will be provided as the situation develops.</p>
<p>The move came after Dubai International Airport <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/16/dubai-airport-suspends-flights-drone-attack.html">resumed a limited flight schedule on Monday morning</a> following a drone strike that hit a fuel depot and triggered a fire. Authorities said no injuries were reported from the strike, the fourth drone-related incident to occur at the airport.</p>
<p>The UAE's Defense Ministry said in an update on Monday that air defenses have intercepted over 300 ballistic missiles and 1,600 drones since the war entered its third week.</p>
<p>The disruption comes amid broader flight cancellations and rerouting across the Middle East, as airlines reassess operations through the region's increasingly volatile airspace.</p>
<p><a href="https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/03032026/middle-east-operation">British Airways</a> said Monday it extended a temporary reduction to its Middle East flight schedule due to ongoing uncertainty, affecting flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv.</p>
<p>The airline said it is keeping the situation under constant review and is in direct contact with affected customers to offer travel options.</p>
<p>The IAG-owned airline has operated eight relief flights from Muscat, Oman, and added flights to and from Singapore and Bangkok to support travelers impacted by the situation.</p>
<p>— CNBC's Emma Graham contributed to this report.</p>