UPDATE: United Arab Emirates (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) Airports Operating Again

The United Arab Emirates briefly closed its airspace on Monday evening, following a missile attack in Doha, but flights are again landing and taking off.

Some aircraft bound for Dubai and Abu Dhabi were diverted, and departures from Abu Dhabi and Dubai are currently significantly delayed.

Note that there has been no official announcement from the United Arab Emirates government; however, flights destined for the country’s airports are currently being diverted. It is unclear how long this airspace closure will last.

Air Passenger Rights

Passengers departing from EU/EEA/UK are covered by EC 261/2004 and UK261 also in the case of a situation like this.

The airline, in this instance, most likely Emirates and Etihad, is required to provide Duty to Care, i.e., accommodation and meals in case of delays, cancellations, and diversions.

The airline is also required to rebook affected passengers to their final destination using other airlines if necessary.

There is no cash compensation for delays, however, as this airspace closure is beyond the airline’s control.

Conclusion

The UAE airspace closure appears to have lasted roughly an hour and will significantly impact flights tonight and tomorrow, resulting in significant delays.

Source