The first flights from the UAE took off just before 3 pm local time on Monday, with Emirates set to operate some flights starting in the evening.
Etihad Airways has resumed some flights from Abu Dhabi, with Emirates set to recommence limited flights from Dubai later on Monday evening.
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EY67 to London Heathrow, the first flight to depart the UAE since its airspace was closed following retaliatory strikes from Iran, took off from Zayed International Airport at 2:39 pm local time (11:39 am CET).
"All scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain cancelled," Etihad Airways said in a statement.
"Some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals.
"Safety remains our absolute priority, and services will operate only once all safety criteria are met."
Regular flights to and from the UAE capital are suspended until 2 pm local time (12 pm CET) on 3 March. Passengers should check with their airlines for updates before travelling to the airport.
Etihad flights which took off on Monday included EY843 to Moscow, EY41 to Amsterdam, EY33 to Paris Charles de Gaulle, EY204 to Mumbai, EY300 to Islamabad, EY216 to Delhi, EY555 to Riyadh, and EY611 to Jeddah.
Flights to Europe are taking a route through Oman before crossing into Saudi Arabia. Neither country has closed its airspace, although there have been cancellations on airlines operating to destinations such as Dubai, Doha and Kuwait.
Emirates to resume some flights
Emirates is also set to resume a limited number of flights from the evening of 2 March.
In a post on X, the airline noted that it would be "accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority".
Those who have been rebooked onto these flights will be contacted by Emirates directly. You should not travel to the airport unless you have been notified.
Airspace closures and flight cancellations across the Middle East
Iran's retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region have caused travel chaos, with thousands of passengers stranded in countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
Qatar's airspace is closed, with Qatar Airways saying it would provide an update by 9 am local time (7 am CET) on 3 March.
Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs has also closed the country's airspace, with flag carrier Gulf Air saying the next update would be given at 11 am local time (9 am CET).
Kuwait has closed its airspace. No details have been shared about when an update will be given about its reopening.
Airlines including Turkish Airlines, Air France, KLM, British Airways and Finnair have cancelled or rescheduled flights to destinations in the region.
While Saudi Arabia's airspace remains open, some airlines have cancelled flights to the country.
Private jet demand soaring across the Gulf
Airspace closures have reportedly seen expats that are trapped in the UAE driving to either Oman or Saudi Arabia to catch a private jet out of the region.
Alexander Graham, director of Luxe Jets, told the FT that "half of Dubai is booking".
According to the publication, one operator was charging €22,900 per seat on a jet leaving Oman for Milan.