Emirates Airlines resumes some flights and El Al is considering using private planes

Dubai-based airline Emirates got the green light from local authorities to resume a “limited number” of flights early Monday evening, a sign of how airlines are preparing to resume service in the region after thousands of flights were cancelled.

Separately, Israeli airline El Al said on Monday that it was considering chartering private planes to repatriate stranded Israeli citizens.

The announcements represent a potential improvement after air travel was halted in much of the Middle East over the weekend in the wake of US-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes.

The attacks closed airspace over much of the region, stranding hundreds of thousands of customers around the world and leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights, including those who did not travel to and from the region because planes were unable to cross those areas. Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the busiest air travel hubs in the world.

The Airport Authority, which owns and operates airports in Dubai, said a small number of flights would be allowed to operate from Dubai International and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International, but advised travelers to check with their airlines.

For its part, Emirates Airlines said that it would begin operating a “limited number of flights” on Monday evening, and urged its customers not to go to the airport unless the airline notifies them of that.

“We are accepting customers with early reservations as a priority,” she said in a post on X. “All other flights will remain suspended until further notice,” she added.

El Al said it is considering operating flights on ClassJets from European airports to Taba, Egypt, near the southern tip of Israel, or Aqaba, across the border in Jordan, for the airline’s customers, but the plan is subject to government approval.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said on Monday that all commercial flights to and from the city were suspended until Wednesday afternoon local time, although it may operate some cargo and repatriation flights “subject to strict operational and safety protocols.”