Operators Test Gulf Air Corridors as Iran War Escalates

A small number of airline movements have resumed at the main airports in the UAE as local carriers such as Etihad, Emirates, and FlyDubai used a limited approved air corridor through Oman’s Muscat flight information region. Flights late in the evening on Monday, and more on Tuesday, marked the tentative first steps in restoring a civil air bridge to Gulf states in the front line of an escalating military conflict with Iran that has stranded tens of thousands of passengers.

Private flight charter operators and brokers continue struggling to expand options for evacuations from Muscat International Airport and also from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, where most of the airspace remains open despite recent Iranian attacks on the U.S. embassy and energy industry sites. One departure from Abu Dhabi late on Monday was a Dassault Falcon 7X operated by a leading Europe-based charter and management group.

However, according to security intelligence group Dyami, as of Tuesday morning flights to and from airports in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Israel were still suspended. The company reported very limited movements from Oman, Qatar, and Lebanon, and Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport was only operating from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Data from flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 showed more than 2,000 scheduled flights to and from Gulf airports that had been canceled since Saturday. Airlines are facing mounting financial woes due to revenue loss and the rising cost of fuel and insurance. On Tuesday, the price per metric ton of jet-A fuel was around $1,133, representing a 44% increase from the $785 quoted by IATA on Friday.

Multiple governments are scrambling to organize evacuation flights for their citizens, including thousands on vacation when the conflict began or in transit at Gulf hub airports as part of intercontinental trips. For example, at least 130,000 British nationals have registered with their government seeking assistance. Italy had to dispatch a military aircraft to rescue the country’s defense minister, Guido Crosetto, who had flown to Dubai on Friday evening to join his family for a vacation—seemingly unaware of the U.S.-Israeli military strikes set to start just a few hours later.

On Tuesday, charter broker Chapman Freeborn reported that it has been liaising with governments and corporate customers to arrange emergency support for passengers and cargo flights. The UK-based company said its teams have been working around the clock to establish options for acceptable routings around the region’s restricted air corridors.

“During periods of geopolitical uncertainty, speed, flexibility, and reliable operational planning are critical for our clients,” said Chapman Freeborn CEO Saska Gerasimova. “Our global teams remain ready to support airlines, cargo operators, and governments with safe, compliant, and responsive charter solutions as conditions continue to evolve, with a constant focus on protecting lives and safeguarding operations.”

Qatar Executive—one of the Gulf region’s largest charter operators—confirmed that most of its fleet was positioned outside the country when airspace closed early on Saturday. The company said some operations have been able to continue in other regions.

Among the challenges facing airlines and private aircraft operators are securing insurance cover for flights in and out of the conflict zone. According to sources close to flight arrangements, speaking with AIN anonymously, some governments are accepting all or some of the risk to allow flights to proceed, subject to airspace permits being available.