The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed that all flight restrictions imposed during the recent regional conflict have been lifted, marking a full return to normal air navigation operations across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In an official statement issued on May 2, 2026, the regulator announced that UAE airspace has resumed its “normal status” following a detailed review of operational and security conditions conducted in coordination with national authorities.
“We are pleased to announce the full resumption of normal air navigation operations across UAE airspace. Following a comprehensive evaluation of operational and security conditions, we have officially lifted the temporary precautionary measures previously in place,” the GCAA wrote in the statement.
“Our priority remains the safety of our skies, and we continue to maintain continuous, real-time monitoring to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety for all,” the statement concludes.
The UAE had introduced a partial airspace closure in late February amid escalating hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which triggered widespread operational disruption across the Middle East. The conflict led to one of the most significant airspace disruptions in the region in recent years. At least eight countries, including the UAE, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, imposed full or partial airspace closures. The measures were progressively eased through March, with full restoration now confirmed.
The lifting of UAE restrictions follows a ceasefire agreement reached last month, which has begun to ease tensions and support a gradual normalization of aviation activity across the Middle East region.
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