In an unprecedented disruption to air travel linked to escalating US–Israel military strikes on Iran, Etihad Airways has announced the temporary suspension of all departures from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport until 2:00 p.m. UAE time on Sunday, March 01, 2026. The move comes amid widespread regional airspace closures that have affected carriers across the Gulf and beyond, leaving passengers facing cancellations, reroutes and uncertain travel plans.
The airline, which operates a global network from its hub in the UAE capital, said that no outbound flights will depart Abu Dhabi during the suspension window and that arrivals scheduled before this cutoff will be cancelled outright. Flights expected after 2:00 p.m. are “expected to operate, subject to operational conditions”, underscoring the fluid nature of the situation. Aircraft already en route to Abu Dhabi have been instructed to return to their origin airports where required, further compounding disruption for travellers worldwide.
