Back in the skies over the Gulf: Lufthansa from November 25, Austrian from December 12, Etihad still not flying to Riyadh

European airlines are gradually returning to the United Arab Emirates: British Airways resumed London – Dubai on November 3, Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings return on November 25, and Austrian on December 12, Gulf News reports. UAE airport capacity reached 7.2 million seats in October, up 23 percent from June.

The recovery is uneven. Etihad has cancelled all passenger and cargo flights from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Dammam until November 19, extending an earlier suspension that ran to November 5, while flights to Jeddah are planned from November 6. Flights by Iranian carriers, including Iran Airtour to Dubai, remain suspended, as does the Emirates–flydubai codeshare to Tel Aviv.

Between diplomacy and readiness

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the Emirates want a diplomatic solution but are "braced for the worst". The authorities have not announced new evacuations or airport closures.