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Temporary Partial Airspace Closure

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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 9:08 am
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I wonder about the impact this will have on tourism in UAE. Its image has been carefully crafted over decades and shots of hotels on fire will probably be a bit of a setback. Consequently, some of the P2P demand for EK/EY may diminish going forward and I imagine some people will also be worried about connecting there.

Any idea how EK handles the disruption for connecting pax who didn't make it to Dubai (e.g. Asia - Europe stuck in Asia)? Rebookings on OAL, or waiting it out in the origin?
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 9:18 am
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The Fairmont on the Palm got hit, apparently. Possibly debris. I hope everyone in the UAE stays safe.

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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 9:20 am
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Just arrived on EK358. Was one of the last few aircraft allowed to depart.

30 mins after departure, news flowed into CNN live that UAE closed airspace.

pretty scary thinking when my morning arrival flight EK76 overflew central tel Aviv.
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 12:59 pm
  #19  
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Obviously I have no idea where this is going to go, but this does not sound or look like it will be a conflict that will clear up tomorrow. What should we expect from Emirates in terms of re-scheduling accommodation? They gave no information other than the statement on airspace closure. They haven't been known to be all that accommodating in the past. Flying Tuesday and would love to just move my flight, but fear I may have to wait until it is cancelled.
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 1:14 pm
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Originally Posted by A4K
Obviously I have no idea where this is going to go, but this does not sound or look like it will be a conflict that will clear up tomorrow. What should we expect from Emirates in terms of re-scheduling accommodation? They gave no information other than the statement on airspace closure. They haven't been known to be all that accommodating in the past. Flying Tuesday and would love to just move my flight, but fear I may have to wait until it is cancelled.
While this answer may not be what you want to hear, I would recommend that you wait until the flight is cancelled -- all EK contact centres are either not taking calls or trying to resolve the immediately cancelled flights. I originally had a flight departing 7 hours from now, I only received the cancellation ~15 minutes ago [~8 hours after EK suspended all operations]. EK is in triage at the moment and trying to get on top of its operational situation, I don't see them working on Tuesday flights until Monday. Many agents who operate the Arabic line (while also able to serve English lines) are also fasting for Ramadan which also reduces their working hours.

If you are able and don't mind paying the change fee for your peace of mind, I would try to move your flights online.

The official line is this from EK Travel Update Centre:
Customer advisory

If you are booked to travel in the next 72 hours, your options are:
  • Rebook on an alternate flight. You can rebook on another flight to your intended destination up to 10 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 .
  • Request for refund. You can request for a refund of your ticket by completing the refund form if you booked with us directly. If you booked your flights with a travel agent, please contact them
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 1:26 pm
  #21  
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Originally Posted by BA Humbug
While this answer may not be what you want to hear, I would recommend that you wait until the flight is cancelled -- all EK contact centres are either not taking calls or trying to resolve the immediately cancelled flights. I originally had a flight departing 7 hours from now, I only received the cancellation ~15 minutes ago [~8 hours after EK suspended all operations]. EK is in triage at the moment and trying to get on top of its operational situation, I don't see them working on Tuesday flights until Monday. Many agents who operate the Arabic line (while also able to serve English lines) are also fasting for Ramadan which also reduces their working hours.

If you are able and don't mind paying the change fee for your peace of mind, I would try to move your flights online.

The official line is this from EK Travel Update Centre:
Thanks, I was on the USA website and there is no update from today on the Travel Update page. I flipped over to the UAE website and see the message you copied now.

All Dubai flights have been suspended through Sunday afternoon:

Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500hrs UAE time on Sunday, 1 March.

Last edited by A4K; Feb 28, 2026 at 1:48 pm
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 2:45 pm
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https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2...-drone-strike/

Multiple reports, videos, and pictures showing DXB hit; one showing damage nesr gate B12 among with crew evacuations. Nothing confirmed on more 'mainstream' news yet.
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 3:29 pm
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There's footage of the Burj Al Arab hotel on fire after a drone strike (!!)
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 3:46 pm
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Official account seems to say it is more minor. Some videos could be AI of course which is why I am seeking some media or official confirmations.
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 10:19 pm
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Emirates website is useless. Shows many flights as operating such as my DXB-IAD on 2 March but... via chat... they tell me flight is cancelled. Same story for the flight status alerts. Good news, instant response on WhatsApp chat where I rebooked my flight... which may or may not happen,
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 11:01 pm
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Originally Posted by AlwaysOnTheRoad
Emirates website is useless. Shows many flights as operating such as my DXB-IAD on 2 March but... via chat... they tell me flight is cancelled. Same story for the flight status alerts. Good news, instant response on WhatsApp chat where I rebooked my flight... which may or may not happen,
try to be relax, airline will not allowance any cancel until last minute.
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 11:05 pm
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Originally Posted by AlwaysOnTheRoad
Emirates website is useless. Shows many flights as operating such as my DXB-IAD on 2 March but... via chat... they tell me flight is cancelled. Same story for the flight status alerts. Good news, instant response on WhatsApp chat where I rebooked my flight... which may or may not happen,
Hi, can u share the WhatsApp number? Thanks
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 11:10 pm
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Saketreddy
Hi, can u share the WhatsApp number? Thanks
Emirates is reachable on Whatsapp here if you hold Gold or Plat status:

Spoiler
 

Last edited by BA Humbug; Mar 1, 2026 at 7:00 am
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Old Feb 28, 2026 | 11:57 pm
  #29  
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Originally Posted by jbcarioca
Consider the longstanding close connections between various Gulf states and Iran . . . .

I hope I have not gone too far off-topic.
You have. This is no​​​​​t a political thread. In consideration of others, please edit your post to remove all of the political comments.
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Old Mar 1, 2026 | 12:26 am
  #30  
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Internal message to all EK staff:

All EK flights departing from DXB and (Outstations with destination DXB), between 0700z/01Mar and 1100z/02Mar are cancelled.
ETA: The notice for suspension of flights is now updated to include 2 March:
https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/...ravel-updates/
Last updated: 1 March 2026, 08:00 Dubai (GMT+4)Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500hrs UAE time on Monday, 2 March.

Customer advisory

If you are booked to travel before or on 5 March, your options are:
  • Rebook 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 .
  • Request for refund. You can request for a refund of your ticket by completing the refund form if you booked with us directly. If you booked your flights with a travel agent, please contact them.
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Last edited by BA Humbug; Mar 1, 2026 at 1:09 am
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