UAE flight updates March 9 2026: Major carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia are running reduced or limited schedules, and passengers should avoid travelling to Dubai Airport or Abu Dhabi Airport unless they have confirmed bookings or direct airline contact, as airlines manage operations under changing approvals and airspace conditions.
Key Takeaways: Dubai and Abu Dhabi airport flight status checks
- Multiple Airlines operate reduced or limited schedules, check Dubai airport flight status and your full itinerary before leaving.
- Etihad publishes an Etihad schedule update for March 10, with a limited number of Abu Dhabi departures to key destinations.
- Rebooking and refunds remain available across carriers, with specific date windows and conditions.
Current status for Dubai and Abu Dhabi travellers right now
Today’s Travel Updates focus on one message: do not go to the airport unless your booking is confirmed and your flight is operating. Across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, carriers say operations can change quickly, and flights remain subject to operational approvals and airspace conditions.
For passengers connecting through Dubai, airlines warn that you can only travel if your onward flight is also operating. That makes checking both legs essential before you set off for the terminal.
These Flight Disruptions matter beyond the airport. Flight disruptions and reduced schedules can affect tourism flows, business travel, and consumer spending across the UAE, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Clear rebooking/refund windows and airport-travel guidance help residents and visitors reduce costs and congestion while airlines manage capacity under operational and airspace constraints.
Event timeline: March 8 to March 10, 2026 schedule changes
| Airline | Operational status | Airport guidance | Rebooking and refund window (as published) | Where to check or act |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Emirates reduced schedule until further notice | Do not travel unless contacted directly, check both legs if connecting via Dubai | Travel Feb 28 to Mar 31, rebook to same destination on or before Apr 30, refunds for cancelled flights | emirates.com, Manage Your Booking, online refund form (direct bookings), travel agent (agent bookings) |
| Etihad Airways | Etihad schedule update includes limited flights on Mar 10, additional limited services resume | Only confirmed passengers should head to the airport, new tickets available online | Free rebooking for tickets issued on or before Feb 28, valid for travel up to Mar 21, new travel dates allowed until May 15, refunds online or via agents | etihad.com, airline schedule page, online refund request, travel agent |
| flydubai | Reduced schedule as services gradually return across parts of the network | Do not travel unless confirmed booking or airline contact, check full journey if connecting through Dubai | Travel Feb 28 to Mar 31, rebook to same destination without penalty within 30 days of original travel date | flydubai.com, mobile app, Contact Centre 600 54 44 45, Travel Shop, travel agents |
| Air Arabia | Air Arabia limited flights to and from the UAE | Do not go unless notified directly or you hold a confirmed booking on published flights, connecting passengers accepted only if onward flights operate | Previously cancelled flights may be rebooked if modification or refund option not yet used, airline notifies cancelled flights via email and SMS | Air Arabia website, mobile app, travel agents, Manage Booking |
Is Emirates operating flights from Dubai today?
Emirates says it is operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice, and it prioritises customers with existing bookings on available flights. The airline advises passengers not to travel to the airport unless Emirates contacts them directly.
If you connect through Dubai, Emirates says you can only fly if your onward flight is operating. Check both legs before you leave, and confirm your contact details in Manage Your Booking so you receive notifications about delays, changes, or cancellations.
What is Etihad’s updated schedule for March 10 from Abu Dhabi?
Etihad says it has updated its schedule for March 10, operating a limited number of flights from Abu Dhabi to key destinations. Only passengers with confirmed bookings should head to the airport. Etihad also says additional limited services resume, and new tickets are available via etihad.com.
Etihad notes flights remain subject to operational approvals and airspace conditions. Confirmed passengers travelling today should check their flight status online before going to Abu Dhabi Airport.
Can I rebook or refund my flydubai flight in March?
flydubai says it is currently operating a reduced flight schedule as services gradually return across parts of its network. Passengers should not go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking or the airline contacts them directly.
For customers booked to travel between February 28 and March 31, flydubai allows rebooking to the same destination without penalty within 30 days of the original travel date. If you booked through a travel agent, contact the agent for assistance.
Are Air Arabia flights operating to and from the UAE right now?
Air Arabia says it has started operating a limited number of flights to and from the UAE, and it prioritises customers with confirmed bookings on available flights. The airline advises passengers not to go to the airport unless Air Arabia notifies them directly or they hold a confirmed booking on published flights.
Air Arabia also says connecting passengers will only be accepted if onward flights are operating. Customers whose flights remain cancelled will receive email and SMS notifications with alternative options, and the airline advises passengers to keep contact details updated via Manage Booking.
Next steps for travellers and what to expect from airlines
For UAE Travel over the next 24 to 48 hours, airlines are expected to keep adjusting schedules as approvals and airspace conditions change. Carriers continue to direct passengers to online flight status pages, email alerts, and booking portals for the latest information.
If you are travelling via Dubai, check Dubai airport flight status and your onward connection before leaving home. If you are departing from Abu Dhabi, monitor the Abu Dhabi Etihad limited flights March 10 schedule and confirm your booking status before heading to Abu Dhabi Airport.
Israel strikes Lebanon despite ceasefire, 10 reported killed
Israel Lebanon strikes ceasefire hit by new attacks
Israel Lebanon strikes ceasefire came under fresh strain on April 26, 2026, after Israeli air strikes hit locations in Lebanon, with at least 10 people reported killed. The escalation pushed residents to flee and renewed concern over reported damage to civilian infrastructure and healthcare services.
Israel Lebanon strikes ceasefire: 10 reported killed
The Israeli military carried out air strikes in Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire, according to reports circulating on April 26. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported at least 10 deaths, while residents in affected areas left their homes amid fears of further attacks.
Claims that the strikes mirrored 'Gaza-style tactics' remain unverified, with attention focused on whether civilian infrastructure and healthcare facilities were affected. UNIFIL, the United Nations force deployed in southern Lebanon, is among the key bodies whose statements are used to track incidents along the Blue Line and assess developments on the ground.
What this means for UAE travellers and businesses
In the UAE, airlines, travel agents and corporate security teams monitor border escalation closely because it can disrupt regional flight planning, insurance costs, and staff travel decisions. UAE authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, routinely issue travel guidance during fast-moving regional security developments, while Dubai Police and Abu Dhabi Police continue to advise residents to rely on official channels and avoid sharing unverified claims during crises.
- Date reported: April 26, 2026
- Location: Lebanon (specific strike locations not confirmed in the available reports)
- Reported fatalities: At least 10, per Lebanese Ministry of Public Health updates
- Verification focus: UNIFIL statements and documented assessments of damage to civilian sites, including healthcare
Verify updates through UNIFIL statements and Lebanese Ministry of Public Health bulletins, and follow UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel guidance before booking or transiting through the region.
Parkin signs multi-year Binghatti deal for 1,200 Dubai parking spaces
Parkin to run 1,200 parking spaces at Binghatti sites
Parkin has signed a multi-year parking management deal with Binghatti Holding Ltd to operate around 1,200 parking spaces across selected Binghatti developments in Dubai. A move that aims to make parking accessible and payments more consistent, reducing delays around busy building entrances.
Under the agreement, Parkin will operate a defined portfolio of approximately 1,200 spaces at Binghatti properties in Dubai, according to a statement shared online by Dubai Media Office. The announcement also referenced senior executives, including Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, and Katralnada Binghatti, CEO at Binghatti Holding as having signed the contract for the proposed partnership which includes the deployment of advanced digital parking technologies across the managed Binghatti sites as the programme is rolled out.
A central element of the plan is to incorporate managed parking spaces into the Parkin app, uniting privately operated parking with the digital platform that many drivers already use to find and pay for parking. Practically, this app integration enables clearer parking regulations, more efficient customer support, and standardized operations across multiple locations, replacing isolated, building-specific systems.
In Dubai, where high-density towers and mixed-use developments often strain access roads and drop-off zones, well-managed private parking can significantly ease traffic flow and reduce congestion during peak hours. For Binghatti communities, streamlined parking operations enhance the experience for both tenants and visitors, while Parkin continues to grow its managed parking presence across the city.
Drivers can expect a smoother experience when arriving at participating Binghatti locations, particularly those who previously encountered varying rules across different buildings. With parking spaces now visible in the Parkin app, users can manage everything through one convenient platform instead of juggling multiple building systems.
- Agreement: Multi-year deal between Parkin and Binghatti Holding Ltd
- Scope: Parkin to operate approximately 1,200 parking spaces
- Location: Selected Binghatti developments in Dubai
- Next step: Parking spaces expected to be integrated into the Parkin app
The rollout of Parkin’s parking management operations at selected Binghatti locations is scheduled to begin in Q2 2026, with advanced digital parking technologies introduced as sites come online.
DMCC growth 2025: Free zone adds 2,300+ firms, tops 26,000 members
DMCC adds 2,300+ firms in 2025, tops 26,000 members as tech leads
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) reported strong growth in 2025, adding more than 2,300 companies and taking its total membership to over 26,000. DMCC said the tech cluster has surpassed 4,000 companies, making it the biggest segment by number of firms within the free zone.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), one of Dubai's premier free zones and business districts centered around Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), announced that technology has become its largest business sector. This growth is fueled by emerging clusters in cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence (AI), and gaming. DMCC highlights these developments as part of its broader mission to serve as a global hub connecting trade, technology, and finance from Dubai.
The growth comes from DMCC's cluster model, where companies in the same field join a shared system that includes licensing, community programs, and access to service providers. For example, crypto and digital-asset companies need strong compliance like customer checks and risk controls. AI and gaming companies usually need more engineers and cloud infrastructure.
For the UAE economy, significant annual growth in a major Dubai free zone typically drives increased activity in professional services, including legal, audit, and compliance sectors. It also boosts demand for banking and fintech solutions supporting trade flows. Additionally, this growth accelerates Dubai's efforts to attract foreign direct investment and diversify into the digital economy, complementing its well-established trade and commodities foundation.
For entrepreneurs and international companies, DMCC's growth is closely tied to the functioning of free zones in Dubai. Businesses establish themselves within a regulated free-zone framework, secure licenses through the authority, and leverage Dubai as a hub for regional operations and trade-related services. DMCC’s ecosystem model organizes firms by sector, enabling businesses to easily connect with suppliers, access talent, and obtain specialized support including banking, legal, accounting, and logistics services.
For business owners exploring company formation in Dubai, the key figures highlight both strong competition and exciting opportunities: an increasing number of firms are selecting DMCC, while the ecosystem is expanding in sectors like crypto, AI, and gaming. The crucial next step is to identify the appropriate license category for your business activities and understand the compliance requirements before finalizing your setup timeline.
- Free zone: DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), based in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) area of Dubai, UAE
- 2025 intake: More than 2,300 new companies joined, according to DMCC
- Total membership: Over 26,000 member companies, according to DMCC
- Largest ecosystem: Technology, with more than 4,000 tech companies, according to DMCC
- Key growth drivers: New clusters in crypto, AI and gaming
A growing DMCC membership base drives increased hiring, boosts demand for office space in JLT, and strengthens business for service providers supporting new company formations. The expansion of technology as DMCC's leading ecosystem aligns seamlessly with the UAE’s broader focus on knowledge-based industries such as software, fintech, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and digital trade services.
Nafis salary support up to AED 3,000 outlined as UAE extends programme to 2040
Nafis outlines salary support up to AED 3,000
The UAE has extended the Nafis salary support program until 2040, providing eligible Emiratis working in the private sector with financial assistance of up to AED 3,000. This initiative aims to strengthen incentives for Emiratis to secure and retain jobs outside government roles.
The extended Nafis program now includes a child allowance with no limit on the number of children covered, broadening family support for eligible Emiratis in the private sector. Alongside wage top-ups, the expanded benefits package offers additional family support, emphasizing relief for household expenses.
For Dubai and the wider UAE, this extension through 2040 signals a long-term commitment affecting both employees and employers. Emirati jobseekers can benefit from increased take-home pay, making private-sector opportunities more attractive. Companies benefit by accessing a larger pool of Emirati candidates, aiding recruitment in competitive, fast-growing industries.
A common scenario involves a private-sector employee considering a transition from a government role; the salary top-up helps clarify the financial benefits and reduces the risk of switching jobs. For families, targeted support connects workforce participation with broader social stability objectives.
- Programme: Nafis (extended until 2040)
- Support amount: Salary packages of up to AED 3,000
The Nafis extension to 2040 functions as a comprehensive long-term strategy specifically designed to significantly enhance both the employment opportunities for Emiratis and their retention rates within various private-sector roles across the country. This initiative aims to create sustainable job growth and provide ongoing support for Emirati workers to thrive in the competitive private sector over the coming decades.
DHCA waives late penalties for Dubai Healthcare City renewals
DHCA waives penalties for licence renewals
Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) has introduced Dubai Healthcare City Authority measures, a new economic relief measures for commercial licence renewals, including waivers of reinstatement fees and late renewal penalties for licences renewed between April 1 and June 30, 2026. This initiative helps Dubai Healthcare City businesses reduce compliance costs and improve cash flow by offering instalment payment options.The DHCA’s support package aims to assist partners within Dubai Healthcare City and promote sustainable growth across the healthcare and life sciences sectors. It applies to all commercial licences within the DHCC community, encompassing hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, educational and research institutions, and supporting service providers.Under this relief, businesses renewing their commercial licences during the April to June 2026 period will have reinstatement fees and late penalties waived. Additionally, DHCA offers structured instalment plans for renewal fees, including the acceptance of post-dated cheques, with payment schedules extending until September 30, 2026.Commercial licences are vital for daily operations in Dubai Healthcare City, enabling firms to contract suppliers and maintain service continuity. By eliminating penalty charges during the waiver period and allowing phased payments, DHCA’s measures help businesses avoid escalating fees and manage their licensing status while preserving working capital.Operators who missed their renewal deadlines can use this window to become compliant without incurring reinstatement or late fees and spread renewal payments over an agreed instalment plan extending to the end of September. Businesses are advised to coordinate their finance and compliance deadlines with DHCA and confirm eligibility and payment plan details directly.| Measure | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Waiver of reinstatement fees and late renewal penalties (commercial licences) | Renewals completed April 1 – June 30, 2026 |
| Instalment payment plans for renewal fees (including post-dated cheques) | Payment plans available until September 30, 2026 |
- Authority: Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA)
- Relief offered: Waiver of reinstatement fees and late renewal penalties for eligible commercial licence renewals
- Waiver window: Renewals completed between April 1 and June 30, 2026
- Payment option: Renewal fees can be paid via structured instalments, including post-dated cheques, up to September 30, 2026
Ensure you confirm your commercial licence renewal date and agree on any instalment plans with DHCA before the respective deadlines of June 30 and September 30, 2026.The Dubai Healthcare City Authority measures waiver is positioned as a partner-support measure designed to promote sustainable growth and business continuity across the Dubai Healthcare City ecosystem.
