June 25, 2025, 10:55 am | Read time: 4 minutes
After an Iranian attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar earlier this week, airspace over several countries in the Middle East was temporarily closed. Many travelers from Germany are now wondering if flights to Dubai are still possible. TRAVELBOOK provides an overview of the situation.
For those who don’t mind the heat–temperatures average 104 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit in June and July, respectively–Dubai remains a popular travel destination even during the summer months. Many of the activities for which the modern metropolis is known and loved take place in air-conditioned indoor spaces. During the summer season, various discount promotions and entertainment events also attract visitors from outside to Dubai. However, there is a war in the Middle East. This raises the question of whether it is currently possible to fly to Dubai at all.
Overview
Can you currently fly to Dubai despite the war?
TRAVELBOOK examined the current situation a few days ago due to the war between Israel and Iran. Although a ceasefire has been in place since Tuesday, the airspace over the affected areas (specifically Israel, Iran, and Iraq) remains closed. This impacts long-haul travel–especially to Asia–which has already been complicated or extended depending on the operating airline since 2022 due to the Ukraine war.
The need to take detours on various routes leads to congestion in the affected airspaces. This can also affect planned trips to popular destinations in the eastern Mediterranean, such as Greece, Turkey, or Egypt. Expert Marcel Conrad from the travel security platform A3M warns of possible delays and also that “transit times may be extended to create buffers for connecting flights.” It is true that Dubai is further southeast. However, the flight routes to the region partially overlap with those heading toward the eastern Mediterranean.
Uncertainty after rocket strike in Doha, Qatar
On Monday evening, there was another incident. Qatar responded to a rocket strike in Doha by temporarily closing its airspace. The same was done by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. However, it did not stop there. Airlines like Qatar Airways soon resumed their regular operations.
Flights to Dubai are proceeding as scheduled
“Flights of the Lufthansa Group Airlines to Dubai are proceeding as scheduled,” TRAVELBOOK learned upon inquiry with Lufthansa. The airlines (i.e., LH, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and others) avoid certain airspaces over crisis regions. This is purely a safety measure that only affects the flight route–not the flight schedule. Thus, everything remains the same for travelers.
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Also, “Emirates resumes regular flight operations after minimal disruptions on June 23,” a company spokesperson explains. According to a report by “Condé Nast Traveller,” the airlines Etihad and Qatar Airways are doing the same. They take alternative routes to Dubai, such as south over Egypt or north over Turkey. Therefore, delays may occur in individual cases. But for the time being, it remains possible to fly to Dubai as usual. Both airports in the city, Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC), are operating as usual. However, authorities are on high alert to respond to any short-term developments.
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What travelers should know now
The Foreign Office currently advises against “non-essential travel” to the UAE. In an update on June 25, the agency warns that a regional escalation of the conflict and thus a further deterioration of the situation must always be expected. This increases the risk of incidents occurring within the UAE, leading to disruptions in air traffic. It is recommended to stay informed and regularly follow local media and authorities’ advice. The German Embassy in Doha also advises against non-essential travel to Qatar.
According to Marcel Conrad from AM3, the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Iran signifies a cautious easing of the conflict. According to statements by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, direct negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have now resumed. “This also means a preliminary all-clear for air traffic,” Conrad told TRAVELBOOK. “While delays are still possible for flights to Dubai, there is currently no need to cancel flights as a precaution.”
Those traveling to the United Arab Emirates should be aware that it is a non-democratic monarchy and the legal system is largely based on Sharia law.