After Iran Apology, UAE Travel Calls Rise As Flights Resume Partially

2026-03-07 02:16:42

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Travel agents say residents are calling again to confirm bookings as airline operations gradually return, but limited seats have pushed ticket prices higher

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Air travel enquiries in the UAE have begun rising after Iran's president apologised to Gulf countries, including the UAE, for the recent attacks, raising hopes that tensions in the region may ease and flight operations will stabilise in the coming days.

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Travel agents said enquiries from travellers have started rising again as airline operations gradually resume after days of disruptions.

Dubai Airports said operations had partially resumed on March 7, with some flights departing from both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC). However, authorities advised passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have been contacted by their airline confirming their flight, as schedules continue to change.

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Travel agencies said they began receiving calls from residents as soon as Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that the country's neighbours would not be targeted unless attacks were launched from them.

Most callers were travellers who had already booked tickets earlier and wanted to confirm whether their flights would operate as scheduled.

According to Safeer Mohammed, general manager of Smart Travels, the development was the most awaited news of the week for the travel industry.

"Calls are pouring in now. Most of them are from people who had pre-existing bookings and wanted to confirm that their flights will operate. A lot of inbound travel had also been put on hold due to the tensions, but with the latest developments those plans are slowly getting back on track."

Despite the renewed interest in travel, agents said many residents remain cautious about confirming leisure trips, especially with the Eid holidays approaching.

"However, business and MICE travel, especially inbound to the UAE from China, is expected to improve considerably in the coming days. We are all hoping that this situation stabilises.”

Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Travels, said travel demand to the Indian subcontinent is expected to rise once more airlines resume services in the coming days.

“Airlines may increase the number of flights soon, if not return to full operations after the Iranian president's statement,” he said.“We can expect a large number of travellers heading to the Indian subcontinent.”

Subair said that many families currently visiting the UAE are expected to travel back to their country in the coming weeks.

"Many families have come to the UAE and will need to return to India,” he said.“With school holidays also starting soon, this is likely to boost travel demand in the coming weeks.”

However, he added that many residents remain cautious about making leisure travel plans for the Eid holidays.

"Eid travel is still uncertain because the situation is not completely clear yet,” he said.“People are worried about getting stuck in another country. Dubai takes quick decisions and takes care of tourists, but travellers cannot always expect the same level of response everywhere."