Etihad Airways has announced the temporary suspension of all flights from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport until 2:00 p.m. amid unprecedented disruption to air travel as a result of escalating US and Israeli military strikes against Iran. UAE time, Sunday, March 1, 2026. The move comes amid widespread regional airspace closures affecting airlines across the Gulf and beyond, leaving passengers facing flight cancellations, diversions and uncertain travel plans.The airline, which operates a global network from a hub in the UAE capital, said there will be no outbound flights from Abu Dhabi during the suspension window and flights scheduled to arrive before this deadline will be canceled outright. Flights after 2:00 p.m. “are expected to remain operational, subject to operational conditions,” highlighting the fluidity of the situation. Planes already bound for Abu Dhabi have been instructed to return to their origin airports if required, adding to further disruption for travelers around the world.Etihad is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer rebooking options and hotel accommodation support as needed, and urges travelers to regularly check flight status on the airline’s official website or app before departing for the airport. The airline also warned that connecting passengers whose onward segments have been canceled will not be allowed to board at their departure point, even if the initial flight leg remains as planned.
Why Etihad Airways is grounded: UAE airspace closed after US-Israeli air strikes on Iran
The suspension of flights to Abu Dhabi does not occur in isolation. span middle EastAirspace was temporarily closed or restricted after a series of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory missile launches and military responses from Tehran and prompting neighboring countries to pull civilian aircraft out of danger zones. The security concerns have prompted other major airports, including Dubai International and Doha’s Hamad International, to halt operations, reroute flights or cancel services entirely.
Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi flights suspended until 2pm on March 1, 2026: Information for passengers
Global airlines from Europe to Asia have also been affected, with several airlines canceling or suspending flights to Gulf hubs. The airspace closures have forced planes to avoid large swaths of the Middle East, complicating long-distance routes that normally pass through the region’s air corridors and leaving passengers stranded in cities from London and Paris to Mumbai and Singapore.
What this means for Etihad Airways passengers and Abu Dhabi airport operations
Etihad Airways stressed in a statement that the safety of its passengers and crew is its top priority. Because military activity increases the risk to civilian aircraft, particularly when air defense systems are active, airlines and authorities have legal and operational authority to withdraw services from potentially unsafe areas. This precaution reflects global aviation protocols, in which temporary groundings and diversions are standard responses to conflict-related airspace threats.The airline apologized for the disruption and said: “The safety of Etihad guests and employees is our top priority.” By suspending departures and coordinating closely with national authorities, Etihad aims to minimize risks while monitoring the situation in order to safely resume normal operations once the situation stabilizes.
For Etihad Airways passengers departing or connecting in Abu Dhabi
- Outbound flights at Zayed International Airport are suspended until at least 2pm on March 1, affecting dozens of Etihad flights.
- Arriving flights booked before this deadline have been cancelled, meaning travelers taking early morning flights to Abu Dhabi may have to rebook or wait for a later flight.
- Flights scheduled to arrive after the suspension can operate, subject to airspace restrictions and schedules permitting.
- Passengers who book connecting flights through AUH may be denied boarding at the first departure airport and have to seek other arrangements if the subsequent flight segment is cancelled.
Etihad is offering affected passengers rebooking options, refunds or hotel accommodation, but the level of support may vary depending on fare conditions and booking channel. Passengers are strongly advised to ensure their contact details are up to date so that airlines can communicate changes in a timely manner.
Wider impact on Middle East aviation network
Etihad’s grounding reflects a wider regional aviation outage as airlines and regulators prioritize flight safety amid geopolitical turmoil. Operations of Gulf airlines such as Emirates and flydubai have also been suspended or adjusted due to the same airspace closures. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain have closed or restricted their airspace, causing massive travel disruptions with repercussions across the globe.
Travel warning for March 1, 2026: Etihad cancels flights from Abu Dhabi
International airlines, including major European and Asian airlines, have followed suit, temporarily grounding, rescheduling flights around affected areas or canceling flights altogether. This has caused a logistical ripple effect, with thousands of passengers stranded in hubs around the world and flights forced to be rerouted on longer routes to avoid restricted airspace.In response to widespread airspace closures, Etihad Airways has suspended flights from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport until at least 2:00pm on 1 March 2026. Flights scheduled to arrive before this time will be cancelled, while flights scheduled to arrive after this time may change due to circumstances. The disruption was caused by U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran, resulting in regional security precautions and airspace closures. We are contacting passengers about rebooking and accommodation options, but travel plans remain highly fluid.
