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Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait are experiencing one of the busiest travel periods of the year as Eid Al Adha travel demand and Hajj pilgrimage traffic increase across the Middle East while airlines continue operating under regional airspace restrictions linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

Major Gulf airports, including Dubai International Airport, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Bahrain International Airport, and Kuwait International Airport, are managing high passenger volumes despite continuing operational uncertainty across regional aviation networks.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed the full resumption of air traffic across the country, ending remaining airspace restrictions that had affected flight operations since early March 2026. Commercial airlines across the Gulf have gradually restored services, although many carriers continue operating reduced schedules and modified routes due to ongoing regional security concerns.

Gulf Aviation Networks Continue Recovering as Passenger Traffic Increases

The Eid Al Adha holiday and annual Hajj pilgrimage are generating strong passenger traffic throughout the Middle East aviation sector. Millions of travelers are expected to transit through Gulf airports during the holiday season, increasing pressure on airlines, airport operations, and regional transportation systems.

Dubai International Airport remains one of the region’s busiest aviation hubs, handling extensive international transit traffic between Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Emirates currently operates flights to more than 137 destinations across 72 countries, representing approximately 96 percent of its pre-conflict international network.

The airline is operating more than 1,300 weekly flights, equivalent to nearly 75 percent of its normal pre-war operational capacity. However, Emirates continues advising passengers to monitor flight schedules closely due to possible operational changes linked to regional airspace conditions.

Etihad Airways has also resumed limited international operations, currently serving more than 80 destinations worldwide. Qatar Airways announced that its global network is expected to expand to 150 destinations by mid-June as regional aviation stability gradually improves.

Despite operational recovery, airlines across the Gulf continue adjusting schedules and flight paths due to controlled air corridors and regional aviation safety requirements.

Airspace Restrictions Continue Affecting Flight Operations Across the Middle East

Although the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait have progressively reopened their airspace, aviation networks across the Middle East continue functioning under heightened operational controls. Airlines are using designated flight corridors introduced following the escalation of regional conflict earlier this year.

The modified airspace operations have increased flight durations and affected scheduling flexibility for airlines operating long-haul and regional routes. Several international carriers continue rerouting flights to avoid conflict-sensitive areas, creating longer journey times and increased operational costs.

Travel uncertainty remains elevated as intermittent missile and drone incidents continue affecting parts of the Gulf region. Earlier this month, regional security concerns intensified following reported drone activity targeting infrastructure near Abu Dhabi.

The ongoing US naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz and the absence of a permanent regional political resolution continue influencing airline operational planning and passenger travel confidence throughout the Middle East.

Airlines Operate Reduced and Flexible Schedules Across Gulf Hubs

Airlines serving the Middle East are maintaining flexible scheduling strategies as operational conditions continue evolving.

Air India and Air India Express are currently operating select services across the region using limited and ad-hoc flight schedules from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while maintaining scheduled services to destinations such as Jeddah and Muscat.

Indian carrier IndiGo also confirmed that it continues operating selected Middle East routes while monitoring regional aviation conditions closely. The airline stated that schedules may change depending on regulatory guidance and operational safety assessments.

Flydubai has resumed operations with reduced schedules while warning travelers that longer flight durations and extended transit times may occur because of rerouted air corridors. The airline has also launched seasonal summer routes aligned with increasing Eid holiday demand.

Gulf Air continues gradually restoring operations through Bahrain International Airport with limited weekly services connecting Bahrain to cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Riyadh, London, Dubai, Lahore, and Nairobi.

Air Arabia has resumed scheduled flights from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to several international destinations including Vienna, Athens, Cairo, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Jeddah, Muscat, and Islamabad. The airline is also allowing passengers impacted by earlier cancellations to rebook flights.

Hajj Pilgrimage and Eid Tourism Drive Regional Travel Demand

The combination of Eid Al Adha holidays and Hajj pilgrimage travel is contributing to one of the largest passenger movement periods across the Gulf region in 2026. Airports in Saudi Arabia are receiving increasing numbers of pilgrims traveling to Makkah while Gulf transit hubs manage connecting international traffic.

Religious tourism remains one of the region’s most important travel segments during this period, with airlines increasing operational coordination to support pilgrimage-related passenger flows.

Hotels, transportation providers, airport operators, and tourism businesses across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait are also experiencing elevated demand from regional leisure travelers during the Eid holiday period.

Despite aviation disruptions earlier in the year, tourism demand across the Gulf has remained resilient, supported by restored flight operations, growing passenger confidence, and gradual reopening of regional airspace networks.

Conclusion

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, and other major Gulf aviation hubs are navigating a heavy Eid Al Adha and Hajj travel rush while continuing to manage operational challenges linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict and regional airspace restrictions. Although airlines including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, and Air Arabia have restored significant portions of their international networks, flexible schedules, rerouted flights, and ongoing security concerns continue shaping travel operations across the Middle East aviation and tourism industry in 2026.