UAE travel advisory for Pakistani travellers: Confirm flights before heading to airports as schedules remain uncertain

DUBAI (MediaBites): Authorities in the UAE issued a fresh travel advisory on March 18, urging passengers not to proceed to airports unless directly contacted by their airline with a confirmed departure time, as flight schedules continue to be disrupted.

Travellers have been advised to stay in close contact with their respective airlines and regularly check flight status updates to avoid unnecessary delays and inconvenience.

Airlines operating limited schedules

Major UAE carriers, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia, are currently operating reduced flight schedules as they gradually restore services.

• Etihad Airways is operating limited flights from Abu Dhabi and is allowing passengers to rebook affected bookings free of charge until May 15. Refunds are also available online.
• Emirates is operating a reduced schedule from Dubai, offering rebooking options until May 31 or full refunds for disrupted flights.
• flydubai has resumed operations on a limited scale and advises passengers to travel only after receiving confirmed flight updates.
• Air Arabia has restarted select routes across Europe, Asia, and Africa, including destinations in Pakistan, India, and the Middle East.

Key instructions for travellers

• Do not travel to the airport without confirmed flight details
• Check airline websites or apps for real-time updates
• Use online tools for rebooking or refunds to avoid call center delays
• Arrive early at the airport once your flight is confirmed

UAE entry flexibility for residents

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has announced that residents whose visas expired on or after February 28, 2026, can return to the country until March 31 without requiring a valid re-entry permit.

Safety remains top priority

Airlines and aviation authorities emphasized that passenger safety remains the highest priority, with operations being restored cautiously in coordination with relevant authorities.

Travellers are strongly encouraged to remain updated through official airline communication channels as the situation continues to evolve.