(ABU DHABI, UAE) — Etihad Airways suspended all departures from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport until 2:00 PM UAE time on Sunday, March 1, 2026, as regional airspace closures spread after US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier said conditions remain “fluid” and that further adjustments may be required as the situation develops.
Etihad’s move halted the airline’s outbound operation from its hub and immediately disrupted passengers transiting through Abu Dhabi, as carriers across the region grappled with shifting routings and constraints created by airspace closures.
Airspace closures can force aircraft to take longer routes, divert mid-journey, or wait for new slots to land and depart, compressing schedules in ways that ripple across an airline’s network. Those changes can also collide with crew duty limits and aircraft rotation plans, leaving airlines to rebuild timetables in real time.
Etihad’s suspension covers all flights scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi during the defined window, while arrivals follow a separate rule tied to the cutoff time. Flights scheduled to arrive in Abu Dhabi before 14:00 UAE time on Sunday, March 1 will be cancelled, while services scheduled to arrive after this time are expected to operate, subject to operational conditions.
The distinction matters for travelers monitoring inbound flights into Abu Dhabi and onward connections, because “expected to operate” hinges on whether routes remain available and whether aircraft and crews can still make their schedules after reroutes and diversions.
Etihad also warned that aircraft already en route to Abu Dhabi are returning to their origin airports where required, an outcome that can strand passengers far from their intended destination and complicate rebooking as seats fill quickly across alternative flights.
The hub-wide disruption spreads beyond a handful of city pairs because nearly every Etihad itinerary touches Abu Dhabi, either as an origin, destination, or connection point. Long-haul and regional services can both get caught in the same choke points when airspace closures force detours and reduce the number of arrivals an airport can absorb on schedule.
Etihad has not released a comprehensive list of specific suspended routes, and the absence of a static list reflects how quickly airline schedules can change during a fast-moving event. Travelers should instead expect rolling cancellations, retimed departures, diversions, and missed connections as aircraft and crews end up out of position.
The uncertainty extends to passengers who may not yet see a cancellation but still face a late change, especially if their flight depends on an inbound aircraft that had to divert or return to its origin earlier in the day. Even when a flight eventually operates, a re-timed schedule can still break connections that were viable under the original timetable.
Etihad said it is contacting affected passengers directly with rebooking options and hotel accommodation where necessary, placing the immediate burden on the airline to reroute travelers while balancing limited capacity across remaining services. Passengers who booked connections through Abu Dhabi can face additional complications if the first leg still operates but the onward sector does not.
Under Etihad’s stated connection policy, passengers connecting via Abu Dhabi should note that if their onward sector has been cancelled, they will not be permitted to board at their departure airport. That rule can stop travelers from starting a journey that cannot be completed as ticketed, but it also means some passengers may remain at their origin until Etihad offers an alternative routing.
For travelers trying to move quickly, Etihad said passengers wishing to amend their travel plans can do so at etihad.com, offering a self-service option alongside direct outreach by the airline. Etihad also urged passengers to check their flight status at etihad.com before traveling to the airport, a step aimed at reducing crowds at terminals during periods when departures are suspended.
Etihad told passengers to ensure their contact details are up to date in their booking, an operational detail that can determine whether they receive rebooking proposals or accommodation instructions in time. Incorrect phone numbers or email addresses can leave travelers relying on airport information screens or last-minute updates that arrive after plans have already changed.
Refund questions remain central for some travelers, particularly those who no longer need to travel or who prefer to make alternative arrangements rather than wait for a revised itinerary. Etihad’s public updates around the suspension emphasized rebooking options and accommodation support, without explicitly addressing refund eligibility in the same notices.
Passengers seeking clarity on refunds may need to contact Etihad directly through etihad.com or customer service to confirm refund options versus rebooking alternatives, especially when fare rules vary by ticket type and booking conditions. Travelers who booked through a third party such as a travel agency or an online travel agency may also have to work through that seller to confirm what is available, and when.
Even when an airline offers flexibility, passengers can face friction over fare rules, voucher offers, and the timing of refunds, particularly when disruption affects large numbers of people at once and customer service lines stretch. The immediate priority for many travelers remains securing a workable itinerary, especially for those with onward connections, time-sensitive commitments, or limited accommodation options.
Etihad said conditions are “fluid” and that further adjustments may be required, while it continues to coordinate closely with relevant authorities. The airline said it will resume normal operations as soon as conditions permit, and travelers can track verified changes through official Etihad channels such as booking notifications, the airline app, and etihad.com.
Etihad Airways Suspends Abu Dhabi Flights as Airspace Closures Disrupt Routes
Etihad Airways has halted all outbound operations from Abu Dhabi until Sunday afternoon due to regional airspace closures following military strikes in Iran. The suspension creates widespread network disruption, affecting arrivals, departures, and transit connections. Etihad is managing rebookings and hotel accommodations while advising passengers to update contact details and check flight statuses online before heading to the airport.
