Limited evacuation flights have begun departing the United Arab Emirates as governments step up efforts to assist citizens stranded by the escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran. The US State Department has advised Americans to leave more than a dozen countries in the region using available commercial options, citing safety risks, even as Washington has not arranged dedicated evacuation services.
The aviation fallout has been severe. More than 11,000 flights into, out of and within the Middle East have been cancelled since Saturday, affecting over one million passengers, according to aviation data providers. Airlines based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, including Etihad Airways, Emirates and Flydubai, are operating only limited services, while most scheduled commercial flights remain suspended.
Airspace remains closed or partially restricted across Iran, Iraq and Israel, with temporary shutdowns also affecting Jordan and several Gulf states. Even where restrictions are lifted, airlines are expected to resume operations cautiously, prioritising safety assessments before restoring normal schedules.
Several countries have activated contingency plans. The Philippines has tightened travel advisories, Indonesia is coordinating assistance for tens of thousands of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, and Germany has announced plans to evacuate vulnerable citizens. South Korea and the Czech Republic are also working to bring home stranded nationals.
While select departures have provided relief to some travellers, authorities warn that prolonged disruption is likely as the conflict continues to destabilise one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors.
