Dubai-based Emirates gets approval from local authorities to resume “limited number” of flights flight as early as Monday evening, a sign that airlines are preparing to restart service to the region after thousands of flight cancellations.

Separately, El Al said on Monday it was considering chartering private jets to bring stranded Israeli citizens home.

The announcements signal a potential improvement after air travel came to a standstill across large swaths of the Middle East. US-Israeli air strikes against Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes.

attack ended airspace Much of the region has been affected, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers around the world and causing thousands of flight cancellations, including those to and from the region because planes are unable to fly over them. Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the busiest air travel centers in the world.

The Airports Authority, which owns and manages Dubai Airports, said it would allow a limited number of flights from Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport, but advised travelers to check with their airlines.

In itself, Emirates Airlines It said it would operate a “limited number of flights” from Monday evening and urged passengers not to travel to the airport unless informed by the airline.

“We will prioritize customers who have booked in advance,” the company said in a post on X. “All other flights will remain suspended until further notice,” the company said.

El Al said it is considering operating flights from European airports to Egypt’s Taba (near Israel’s southern tip) or Aqaba (across the border with Jordan) for the airline’s customers, but the plan is subject to government approval.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said on Monday that all commercial flights in and out of the city would be suspended until Wednesday afternoon local time, although it could operate some cargo and repatriation flights “subject to strict operational and safety protocols.”