UAE Civil Aviation Authority Closes National Airspace; Etihad, Emirates and Global Carriers Issue Sweeping Cancellations

The UAE’s aviation regulator shut down the country’s airspace on 28 February 2026, forcing Etihad, Emirates and dozens of foreign carriers to cancel or reroute flights. The decision, prompted by regional missile activity, compounds global network pressures and triggers fresh insurance-premium hikes. Companies should expect longer routings, higher costs and potential visa overstays for stranded staff.