UPDATED: Record post-war day for Emirates with 454 flights as Qatar gains reversed amid flight recovery

Airspace restrictions in the Middle East continue to ease gradually in several nations following months of disruption triggered by regional conflict, although European airlines remain subject to ongoing safety advisories from regulators.

While the big three Middle East carriers, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar are operating below the peak of 1098 flights achieved last weekend, Emirates had a record post-war day on Thursday with 454 flights operated.

Many countries that fully closed their skies in late February have now permitted limited or phased operations, yet full restoration of the busy central transit corridors has not materialised, forcing airlines to rely on longer northern or southern bypass routes that increase flight times and fuel expenses measured in thousands of euro per sector.

Kuwait reopened its airspace in late April after nearly two months of complete closure, allowing some flights to resume into Kuwait International Airport primarily via Saudi routes, although full transit traffic has yet to return. Iran has introduced phased reopenings, with the eastern section of its Tehran flight information region now accessible for overflights above flight level 285 under strict procedural controls, while western areas stay more restricted and international carriers largely continue to avoid the space. Iraq, Syria, Bahrain and Israel have also reopened following ceasefire developments, enabling a cautious return of commercial services in those areas.

In contrast, several Gulf states and neighbours operate under managed conditions with fixed entry and exit points, capacity limits and flow management measures that prevent a return to pre-crisis efficiency. Jordan maintains largely normal operations, while Oman and Saudi Arabia serve as key southern bypass links, albeit with congestion reported on certain sectors. Overall around eleven countries saw their airspace affected by closures or heightened risk advisories at the peak of the tensions, encompassing Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Prospects for broader reopenings in the Middle East appear tied to the durability of the extended ceasefire and further de-escalation steps, with analysts expecting incremental improvements rather than a swift full normalisation. Southern bypass routes via Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Oman have absorbed much of the diverted traffic, yet they bring added costs and potential delays for carriers connecting Europe and Asia. Northern alternatives through the Caucasus and Afghanistan also see heavier use despite their own limitations.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has extended its conflict zone information bulletin covering much of the Middle East and Persian Gulf airspace until 12 May, maintaining its advice for European operators to avoid the listed flight information regions at all altitudes, with only narrow high-altitude exceptions in parts of southern Oman and Saudi Arabia subject to risk assessment. No major changes to the core EASA restrictions have been announced in recent days, leaving many European carriers operating reduced schedules or rerouted services to affected destinations.

This situation continues to influence global aviation planning, with passengers advised to check latest flight statuses directly with airlines as dynamic adjustments remain possible. Recovery in passenger numbers and hub connectivity through the region is expected to be measured over the coming weeks and months.

No major lifting of the EASA recommendations was announced in last week’s update, meaning many European airlines continue to reroute flights or suspend services to affected destinations, incurring additional fuel expenses estimated in the thousands of euro per journey. This advisory covers key areas including Iran, Iraq, Israel, and parts of the Gulf, reflecting persistent uncertainty despite the regional progress on reopenings.

Travel experts note that while Tehran airport activity signals improving connectivity, full normalisation across the Middle East may take further weeks, dependent on sustained stability and regulatory reviews. Passengers are advised to check with carriers for the latest schedules as capacity remains below pre conflict levels in many cases.

The cur rent EASA advisory impacts all altitudes/flight levels in the airspace of: Bahrain (Bahrain FIR – OBBB), Iran (Tehran FIR – OIIX), Iraq (Baghdad FIR – ORBB), Israel (Tel Aviv FIR – LLLL), Jordan (Amman FIR – OJAC), Kuwait (Kuwait FIR – OKAC), Lebanon (Beirut FIR – OLBB), Oman (Muscat FIR – OOMM), Qatar (Doha FIR – OTDF), United Arab Emirates (Emirates FIR – OMAE) and Saudi Arabia (FIR Jeddah – OEJD).

EASA shared “air operators should not operate within the affected airspace at all flight levels and altitudes with the exception specified. The validity of the CZIB was extended until 12 May 2026. No other changes were made.”

Emirates shared: Emirates is marking a near-full return to operations, with 96%of its global network now restored, following a period of disruption. In the past weeks, the airline has progressively resumed services across the Americas, Europe, Africa, West Asia, the Middle East/GCC, the Far East and Australasia.

Today, the airline operates to 137 destinations across 72 countries, with over 1,300weekly frequencies, representing 75% of pre-disruption capacity. The airline is offering more flights, more seats and more options each day while reaffirming Dubai’s position as a vital hub through which global travel moves.

Even as it operated with a reduced schedule, Emirates carried 4.7 million passengers* during the disruption, a testament to the enduring demand for travel and the trust that travellers continued to place in the airline to get them where they needed to go.

From 1 May to 31 August 2026, Emirates Skywards members can enjoy accelerated access to the programme’s premium tiers through reduced tier requirements and Bonus Tier Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights.