Dubai Restricts Foreign Airlines to One Flight a Day Amid Middle East Tensions

Dubai Restricts Foreign Airlines to One Flight a Day until 31 May

Dubai has restricted every foreign airline to just one return flight per day at its airports until 31 May 2026. As tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, British holidaymakers and business travellers are among those feeling the pinch — with fewer seats available, fares climbing, and serious uncertainty hanging over onward connections through one of the world's most important aviation hubs.

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest international airport, along with the smaller Al Maktoum Airport, has been operating under a strict one-rotation-per-day limit for all foreign carriers. The restriction, which runs from 20 April to 31 May 2026, was communicated to airlines by Dubai Airports in late March and extends emergency measures first put in place after a conflict involving Iran triggered a wave of airspace closures across the Gulf and eastern Mediterranean. For airlines that previously operated ten or more daily flights to Dubai, the cap represents a reduction in capacity of up to 90 per cent.

The restriction has caused a considerable stir in aviation circles. Dubai's own carriers — Emirates and flydubai — are entirely exempt from the cap and continue flying their full schedules without interruption. Critics argue this gives the UAE's home airlines an unfair commercial advantage at precisely the moment foreign competitors are most vulnerable. India's Federation of Airlines, representing major carriers including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, formally wrote to the Indian government urging it to push Dubai to lift the curbs. If that fails, it has called for matching restrictions to be imposed on Emirates and flydubai operating into India — a move that would have significant knock-on consequences for British travellers connecting through Indian airports.

If your flight to or via Dubai has been cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund or an alternative routing under UK passenger rights legislation — this covers all flights departing from British airports. Fixed-sum compensation is unlikely to apply here, as the disruption is considered an extraordinary circumstance beyond the airline's control. Passengers travelling on a package holiday have additional protections. In that case, your tour operator must offer either a suitable alternative arrangement or a full refund if the original holiday can no longer be provided.

Confirm your flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport. If your service has been cancelled, request a refund or ask to be rebooked. Travellers needing long-haul connections may wish to explore alternative hubs such as Doha or Abu Dhabi while the restriction is in place. Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for the UAE before you depart, as travelling against official guidance can affect your insurance cover. Crystal Travel customers with affected bookings should get in touch with our team directly for rebooking and refund support.

The situation remains fluid and subject to change. Crystal Travel will keep you updated as further developments emerge.