Airlines in the Middle East, including some of the world’s largest carriers, have faced severe operational disruption following the escalation of conflict involving Iran. Air strikes across the Gulf region forced major aviation hubs to scale back activity and led to significant changes in international flight paths.

State-backed carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Qatar Airways and Air Arabia experienced an abrupt collapse in operations after strikes carried out by United States and Israeli forces on Iran on February 28. Flight activity for these airlines dropped to nearly zero in the immediate aftermath.

Since the introduction of a two-week ceasefire, flight operations from the United Arab Emirates, particularly from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, have gradually resumed. However, according to data from Flightradar24.com, overall traffic remains significantly below levels seen before the conflict.

The pace of recovery has varied across airlines. Emirates, based in Dubai, has restored close to 70 percent of its previous flight schedule, with Etihad Airways reaching a comparable level. Qatar Airways and Air Arabia have recovered to around half of their earlier capacity, while flydubai continues to lag, operating at just over 40 percent.

Beyond flight disruptions, the conflict has had wider repercussions across the aviation sector. Rising fuel prices have placed pressure on airlines, particularly those without fuel hedging strategies. The situation has also affected passenger demand, forced schedule adjustments across Europe and Asia, and led some carriers to temporarily store aircraft. In certain cases, airlines have operated extended routes without destinations due to airspace restrictions.

The broader industry impact is becoming increasingly evident. Qantas Airways warned on April 14 of escalating operational costs linked to the situation. Lufthansa indicated it may need to ground parts of its fleet, while Virgin Atlantic highlighted concerns over tightening fuel supplies as the conflict continues to strain global resources.

Source: ZAWYA

Oman Air has strengthened its presence in the Indian Subcontinent by increasing flight frequencies to Calicut from six to ten services per week, effective April 21. The airline has also added capacity on routes serving Mumbai and Dhaka as part of its wider network expansion.

In a separate update, the carrier confirmed the resumption of operations to Dubai, Bahrain, and Khasab from April 18, 2026. This move follows the earlier reinstatement of services to Dammam and Amman, marking a continued phased return to normal regional scheduling.

Under the revised schedule, Oman Air will initially operate five weekly flights to Bahrain, four weekly services to Khasab, and daily flights to Dubai. The airline indicated that further increases in frequency may be introduced based on passenger demand.

The adjustments come amid rising demand across both passenger travel and cargo operations. Alongside the resumptions, the airline has also enhanced several existing routes across its network.

Domestic services to Salalah have been significantly expanded, with up to five daily flights operating from Sunday to Wednesday and on Fridays, and seven daily flights on Thursdays and Saturdays to support peak travel demand.

In the wider region, flights to Riyadh will increase from 21 to 24 per week starting April 23, while services to Amman will rise from four to six weekly flights beginning in early May.

Looking ahead, Oman Air has outlined plans for further international expansion in 2026, including new routes to Singapore, Tashkent, and Sochi. A direct Salalah–Dubai service is also expected to be introduced during the summer schedule.

In parallel with its network growth, the airline is advancing several product and service upgrades, including onboard connectivity improvements, future cabin redesigns, and enhancements to its loyalty programme, with rollout expected from the second quarter of 2026.

Source: ZAWYA

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) confirming the gradual restoration of international carrier services at Hamad International Airport.

According to the authority, the decision comes after an extensive evaluation carried out in collaboration with relevant national agencies to ensure full operational preparedness and efficiency before resuming services.

QCAA stressed that all incoming and outgoing flights, along with associated aviation activities, will adhere strictly to internationally recognized safety and security standards. It added that comprehensive precautionary measures have been implemented to protect both passengers and aviation staff.

Reiterating its core commitment, the authority stated that safeguarding safety and security across all aviation operations remains its highest priority.

Source: ZAWYA

Hamad International Airport (HIA) has announced that it continues to operate at full capacity while accommodating a growing number of flights, ensuring steady passenger movement through its facilities.

In a statement shared on social media, the airport said that essential services remain fully available to support a smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers. It added that operations are being managed in close coordination with the relevant authorities to handle increased flight schedules while upholding its established service standards.

The airport also advised travellers departing from Doha to proceed to the terminal only if they possess a confirmed and valid ticket, in order to avoid unnecessary congestion.

Reaffirming its commitment to safety, HIA stated that the well-being of both passengers and staff remains its highest priority. It further noted that flight schedules may be subject to changes, including delays or cancellations, depending on circumstances beyond its control, while coordination with relevant authorities continues.

Source: ZAWYA

Etihad Airways has announced plans to broaden its African network with the introduction of new routes from Abu Dhabi to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. The move forms part of the airline’s broader global expansion strategy aimed at tapping into high-growth markets.

The additional services are intended to enhance connectivity across key sectors such as trade, cargo, and passenger mobility. The airline said the expansion responds to rising demand in regions where economic activity and population growth are driving increased need for air links.

This development follows Etihad’s recent growth initiatives in China, which include increased flight frequencies and a strengthened partnership with China Eastern Airlines. Combined, these efforts are expected to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a strategic transit hub connecting Africa with India and wider Asia, facilitating smoother movement of goods, capital, and travellers.

The airline noted that the expansion aligns with deepening economic relations between the United Arab Emirates and African nations. Trade and investment ties have been growing across industries such as energy, infrastructure, mining, and logistics, with Abu Dhabi playing a central role in supporting these exchanges.

In addition, the move complements Etihad’s joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines, which recently marked 80 years of operations, further boosting connectivity within Africa.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said the African market represents a natural progression for the airline’s network growth, citing strong demand driven by trade, investment, and demographic trends. He added that current air connectivity in several African markets falls short of demand, particularly in cargo and trade-related segments.

Neves said the expansion, alongside the airline’s increased presence in China, would help establish a more efficient corridor linking Africa, the Middle East, and Asia through Abu Dhabi. He noted that the development would offer passengers more streamlined travel options while improving cargo access between rapidly growing markets.

The new routes are expected to provide direct connections between African destinations and Abu Dhabi, while also enabling seamless one-stop travel to China, India, other parts of Asia, and the Middle East.

Source: ZAWYA

Air Arabia has begun a phased resumption of flight operations, reinstating a limited number of services to and from the United Arab Emirates following recent disruptions. The airline said all flights are currently dependent on regulatory clearance and operational readiness.

Passengers can make bookings through the airline’s official website, mobile application, or authorised travel agencies. Travellers affected by earlier cancellations are eligible to rebook their journeys, provided they have not already requested refunds or modified their itineraries.

The reduced flight schedule currently spans 52 destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. These include regional routes such as Beirut and Bahrain, along with key cities in Bangladesh, including Chittagong and Dhaka.

In North Africa, operations extend to several Egyptian destinations, including Alexandria, Cairo, Cairo Sphinx, and Sohag. Additional routes connect to Addis Ababa and Athens.

The airline is also operating flights to multiple Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi. Its network further includes destinations across Iraq, Jordan, and Kenya, as well as Kathmandu and Salalah.

In South Asia, services cover major Pakistani cities such as Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. Flights are also operating to destinations in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, alongside Colombo, Damascus, Bangkok, and Turkish cities including Istanbul and Trabzon.

The airline cautioned that schedules may continue to change depending on regulatory approvals and operational conditions, advising passengers to check for the latest updates before travel.

Source: GULF NEWS