Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, and flydubai resumed limited flight operations to and from the UAE on March 10.

The announcement follows a temporary shutdown of Dubai International Airport (DXB) after Iranian drone attacks targeting Persian Gulf countries, including the UAE, following the strike by Israel and the US on the country from February 28.

The resumption follows Air India and Air India Express restarting their UAE operations after the Iranian strikes forced a closure of regional airspace.

Despite sustained Iranian attacks, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assured that the UAE remains stable and secure, projecting confidence in the country's operational continuity amid ongoing regional conflict.

"Following the partial re-opening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule," the Dubai-based airline announced on its website.

The carrier's limited schedule includes destinations across Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Pakistan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as flights to Gulf neighbour Saudi Arabia.

Etihad Airways issued a similar announcement, stating it "has resumed a limited commercial flight schedule, operating between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations."

The airline confirmed that passengers with previous bookings will be accommodated as soon as possible, with tickets available for purchase on its website, though it cautioned. 

"Passengers and members of the public should not travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad or hold a confirmed booking on one of these new flights."

Budget carriers flydubai and Air Arabia displayed comparable messages, with updated flight schedules available on their respective websites.

More than 23,000 flights have been cancelled across the Middle East since February 28, Emergig Travel previously estimated.

Cutting approximately 4.4mn seats and threatening the region’s airlines with losses running into billions of dollars, as airspace closures triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran continue to disrupt global aviation.