UAE closes airspace again after Iran attacks

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) partially closed its airspace for the first time in weeks after Iran launched missiles and drones toward the country, Bloomberg writes, citing notices to pilots (NOTAM). Iran's attack on UAE infrastructure the day before was the most serious escalation of the conflict in the Middle East since a four-week truce between the U.S. and Iran began in April, the agency notes.

According to NOTAM, overflights over UAE territory are temporarily allowed only on selected routes, and the restrictions will be in place for a week. Air traffic control measures are also being introduced on selected routes until Ma 11, a statement for pilots said.

UAE authorities said on May 4 that air defense systems were deployed to repel 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched by Iran. Against this backdrop, flights bound for Dubai and neighboring emirates were on standby outside the country, and a number of planes were diverted to Muskat, the capital of Oman, Flightradar24 data showed.

On Ma 2, the UAE aviation authorities announced the lifting of all restrictions on the use of the country's airspace: foreign airlines were once again allowed to operate flights as normal and fly through Emirates territory. However, new attacks from Iran undermined the resumption of these processes.

Prior to the UAE's partial closure of airspace, Dubai's flagship airline, Emirates, was gradually beginning to rebuild traffic volumes cut by the war, but its capacity was about 75% of pre-war levels, Bloomberg notes. At the same time, the company's main hub, Dubai International Airport, expected it would take about another year to reach passenger traffic targets as the war in the Middle East continues to curb demand for flights from or to Dubai. In March, passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport fell 66% amid the war.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor