Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced that the country’s airports served more than 1.4 million passengers during the period from March 1 to 12, 2026, indicating a gradual return of air traffic to its normal operational rates, despite the exceptional circumstances that the region witnessed during the past few days.
Air traffic management during exceptional circumstances
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Civil Aviation Authority, affirmed that the UAE has dealt with regional developments responsibly, prioritizing human safety while ensuring the continuity of the aviation sector to meet the needs of travelers.
He explained that the safety of passengers, pilots, flight crews, and all aviation sector employees remains an absolute priority in decisions related to airspace. He noted that the country has managed air traffic in a balanced manner by operating a limited number of flights via approved emergency routes to ensure the continuity of travel according to the highest safety standards.
Thousands of air movements in 12 days
For his part, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, affirmed that the UAE’s air transport system continues to operate with high efficiency to ensure the continuity of travel and passenger services within a well-organized operational plan that takes into account safety and security requirements.
He noted that the UAE’s airspace recorded 7,839 air traffic movements between March 1 and 12, reflecting the success of efforts to gradually and systematically resume air traffic.
Gradual recovery of airline operations
Al Suwaidi noted that national carriers have begun to restore a significant portion of their operations, with UAE airlines now operating at approximately 44.6% of pre-crisis levels.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) expressed its appreciation for passengers’ cooperation and adherence to instructions and guidelines issued by the relevant authorities. The GCAA urged passengers to stay updated by their airlines and check flight schedules before heading to airports to facilitate travel procedures and avoid unnecessary waiting times.
