Dubai International (DXB) had barely finished announcing a return to full capacity when it was overtaken by a resumption of a more violent kind. Just days after Dubai Airports announced that operations would increase following the fragile ceasefire reached in April, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was hit by a fresh wave of Iranian drone and ballistic missile attacks on Monday.
This escalation has pushed the regional aviation industry, which is already struggling after 40 days of conflict, to the brink once again. Even if a general peace were to be achieved tomorrow, analysts suggest that the impact on global flight networks would be felt for at least a year. Yesterday’s attacks prompted the UAE to issue Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), enforcing a partial airspace closure that left thousands of passengers across the region with a sense of grim déjà vu.
According to the latest NOTAMs, traffic into, out of and over the Emirates FIR will only be permitted via specified routes and waypoints, and flow-control measures arex expected. The notices also activate ESCAT procedures across defined areas of UAE airspace and warn pilots of GNSS interference, including possible spoofing and jamming.
These measures mean that, while flights are still moving, airlines are operating in a highly constrained environment characterised by rerouting, reduced airspace capacity, and the constant threat of technical interference. The restrictions are estimated to be in place from 4 May to 11 May.
NOTAM issued over large parts of UAE pic.twitter.com/01Fy9BU2yO
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) May 4, 2026
This contrasts starkly with the recent optimistic tone of Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths. On Saturday, he described the past few weeks as “extraordinary” for any major airport hub and noted that the collective response had improved the airport’s ability to adapt quickly. He added that this readiness would help to accommodate the return of demand and reinforce DXB’s role as a global leader, despite “regional routing constraints”.
However, while the contrast may be stark, Griffiths’ confidence in the airport’s resilience appears to have been partly confirmed today. Despite Monday’s strikes, data from Flightradar24 shows that Dubai International Airport (DXB) has quickly resumed operations. Just 24 hours after the strikes, flights were taking off and landing with only minor delays – an impressive demonstration of the airport’s sophisticated rapid-recovery protocols.
Multiple flights bound for the UAE diverting to Muscat amid reported attacks on the region. https://t.co/vfONGBTF26 pic.twitter.com/LMMSnzNzjh
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) May 4, 2026
The stability remains incredibly fragile. The shock of March, when traffic plummeted by 66% to just 2.5 million passengers, is still fresh in the minds of investors and operators alike.
Before the conflict erupted in late February, Dubai airports had projected close to 100 million passengers for 2026, which would have reinforced its position as the busiest international airport. This target now seems out of reach, but officials remain optimistic about a recovery in the second half of the year.
The disruption is not limited to the UAE. In Israel, Ben Gurion Airport is bracing itself for renewed airspace closures. According to Israeli media reports, the Israeli Ministry of Transportation and the Airport Authority have conducted emergency situational assessments in recent hours.
Amid concerns of further escalation, the airport, which had only recently begun welcoming back foreign carriers after months of disruption, has raised its level of preparedness. It is understood that the authorities are reviewing contingency procedures, including measures to manage aircraft on the ground in the event of a rapid deterioration in security.
For the global traveller, the message is clear: the “return to normal” in the Middle East is currently a moving target as the persistent threat of ballistic activity means the world’s most strategic aviation corridors remain on a knife edge.
