Airlines based in the United Arab Emirates are maintaining flight operations through tightly regulated “safe air corridors,” even as several international carriers scale back services due to a sharp rise in war-risk insurance premiums.
Authorities at Dubai International Airport confirmed on Thursday, March 19, 2026, that local carriers are able to operate within military-secured air routes, where flight movements are closely monitored to reduce exposure to potential regional threats.
In contrast, foreign airlines are grappling with soaring insurance costs, with war-risk premiums reportedly increasing by between 300% and 1,000%.
The surge has forced major carriers, including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France, to suspend or significantly reduce flights to key UAE destinations.
Meanwhile, UAE-based airlines such as Emirates and Etihad Airways continue to operate on a limited scale, supported by state-backed security measures and privileged access to designated safe corridors.
The situation highlighted growing divide within global aviation, where state-supported carriers can sustain operations during periods of geopolitical instability, while international airlines face mounting financial, insurance, and airspace constraints that threaten the continuity of travel through one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
