We are entering a new, transitional phase in the Middle East logistics landscape. While we are seeing the positive first steps of airspace reopening across much of the Gulf, operations are strictly limited. For freight forwarders and cargo owners, navigating this environment requires precision. “Open” does not mean “available,” and conditions are fluctuating daily based on local approvals and capacity bottlenecks. At RIF, our focus is on securing stable routing through the region’s most reliable gateways.
Air Freight: A Gradual, Constrained Return
Most Gulf countries have resumed limited flight operations, permitting critical movements such as select crew changes. However, capacity remains intensely tight:
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Dubai (DXB/DWC): Operating at heavily reduced levels (estimated at 60–65% capacity) with no confirmed timeline for full recovery.
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Abu Dhabi (AUH): Currently functioning as the most stable air gateway in the UAE, though space remains highly competitive.
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Doha: Cargo operations remain heavily constrained with minimal schedule visibility.
Ocean Freight: Fragile Operations and GPS Risks
Regional ocean freight is functioning, but the operational environment is highly mixed. Wide-scale disruption and rerouting via longer transit times remain the baseline.
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Saudi Ports: Fully operational and firmly established as the central logistics hubs for the region.
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UAE Ports: Jebel Ali is functioning normally but dealing with elevated congestion. Fujairah and Khor Fakkan are operational, but vessels face persistent offshore navigation risks due to GPS interference.
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Salalah: Operating at partial capacity and currently considered unreliable for standard supply chain planning.
Road Freight and Regional Infrastructure
Following earlier disruptions, road transport across the UAE has fully normalized. However, the heavy reliance on trucking to bypass restricted air and sea lanes is creating intense capacity pressure.
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Saudi Arabia: Acting as the central redistribution land-bridge for the region.
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Oman: Fully operational, though elevated security and compliance documentation are strictly enforced.
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Qatar: Road freight remains subject to heavy regulatory restrictions; ports are operating below normal levels, impacting LNG production.
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Stable Corridors: Egypt and Jordan remain stable, with ports and key logistics networks operating normally. Israel and the Eastern Med report open ports, though airspace remains partially restricted.
RIF Strategic Risk Considerations
As you plan your Q2 cargo movements, RIF advises factoring the following constraints into your supply chain models:
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Elevated Cost Structures: Airfreight rates remain exceptionally high due to the imbalance of supply and demand, compounded by rising war-risk and insurance premiums.
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Navigational Hazards: Widespread GPS interference in parts of the Gulf requires careful carrier selection and risk management.
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Volatility: Operational conditions can, and will change with limited or zero notice.
Secure Your Supply Chain Do not rely on outdated tracking or standard routing. Contact the RIF Team today to build contingencies around these restricted reopenings and secure your capacity.