The UAE has lifted all flight restrictions imposed during the conflict with Iran, allowing Etihad Airways to resume its operations. This development represents a significant recovery milestone for the aviation sector.
Etihad Airways had suspended all departures from Abu Dhabi due to the conflict. The General Civil Aviation Authority stated that the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions.
The UAE’s airspace was temporarily closed because of retaliatory strikes from Iran. As a result, several airlines were affected, including Emirates and flydubai.
During the partial resumption of air traffic, around 1.4 million passengers were handled, with 7,839 air traffic movements recorded. This accounts for 44.6 percent of normal levels for UAE national carriers.
Key statistics:
- Etihad Airways is currently operating at approximately 75 percent of its pre-war capacity.
- Emirates has restored operations to around 80 percent of its pre-war capacity.
- The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix set a Guinness World Record by generating 60.75 cubic meters of drinking water from an atmospheric water generation system in just 24 hours.
This technology helped avoid more than 600,000 half-litre single-use plastic bottles during the race week. Saif Rashid Al Noaimi from Ethara emphasized their commitment to sustainability across events and venues.
While many flights have resumed, uncertainties remain regarding the full restoration of services. Officials have not provided a timeline for when operations will return to normal levels across all airlines.