Etihad Airways has suspended all scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi until March 5 due to ongoing regional airspace disruption, underscoring its commitment to safety as the highest operational priority. The decision follows continued closures and restrictions across parts of regional airspace, which have significantly impacted normal flight operations.
In its operational update, the airline clarified that the suspension applies to commercial passenger services, while some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate subject to strict safety approvals and coordination with UAE authorities. These limited operations are designed to support essential logistical and humanitarian requirements while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
Etihad has advised passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have been directly contacted regarding their flight. Airport access will be restricted to those with confirmed travel documentation to prevent congestion and ensure orderly management of the situation. The airline has also urged travellers to check their flight status online and ensure their contact details are up to date in their bookings.
To ease inconvenience, Etihad is offering flexible options for affected passengers. Customers holding tickets issued on or before February 28, with original travel dates up to March 10, may rebook free of charge on Etihad-operated flights until March 31. Additionally, passengers scheduled to travel during this period are eligible to request full refunds through the airline or their respective travel agents.
The airline acknowledged experiencing a high volume of customer inquiries and encouraged passengers seeking refunds to use its online channels to expedite processing. Officials reiterated that operations will resume only when all safety and regulatory conditions are fully met.
Through these measures, Etihad Airways aims to safeguard passengers and crew while maintaining transparency, operational discipline and coordination with authorities during evolving regional developments.
