Etihad Airways preparing to restart flights to around 70 destinations after week-long shutdown amid Iran-Israel conflict

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is gearing up to resume operations to approximately 70 destinations following nearly a full week of complete suspension due to escalating regional tensions and airspace closures triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict (with U.S. involvement).

The airline’s hub at Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi has been grounded since late February 2026, when U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, leading to widespread airspace shutdowns in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, and beyond. This forced Etihad — along with Emirates, Qatar Airways, and other major carriers — to cancel thousands of flights, stranding tens of thousands of passengers and disrupting global travel networks.

Why Etihad Shut Down: Impact of Regional Airspace Closures

The shutdown began around February 28–March 1, 2026, following:

• U.S.-Israeli military actions targeting Iranian assets.
• Iranian ballistic missile and drone barrages in retaliation, with some projectiles intercepted over UAE territory and reports of debris impacts near airports.
• Closure of UAE airspace (along with neighboring countries), halting departures and arrivals at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other key hubs.

Etihad extended suspensions multiple times — initially until March 2, then March 3, March 5, and beyond — as authorities prioritized safety amid “dynamic” threats. The airline coordinated with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for limited exceptions, including special evacuation flights that began March 2.