Airspace restrictions across the Middle East, ongoing since US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on February 28, 2026, continue to disrupt aviation. Following initial suspensions reported earlier this week, over 13,000 flights have now been canceled, stranding more than 20,000 passengers in the UAE alone. Gulf carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad have extended halts, while launching limited relief flights from alternative hubs amid persistent safety concerns.
Impacted hubs include Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Doha (DOH), Bahrain (BAH), Kuwait (KWI), Muscat (MCT), and Tel Aviv (TLV). Updates since early March:
- Emirates: Suspended Dubai operations until 23:59 UAE time March 7.
- Qatar Airways: Doha flights suspended; relief flights from March 5 via Muscat to London Heathrow, Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam; Riyadh to Frankfurt. Further update at 09:00 Doha time March 6.
- Etihad: Halted Abu Dhabi services until 14:00 UAE time March 5.
- Oman Air: Cancellations to/from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, Khasab until March 6; others with delays.
- Saudia: Extended cancellations to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Amman, Peshawar until 23:59 GMT March 6.
- flydubai: Resumed limited operations; Air Arabia suspended Sharjah until 15:00 UAE March 9.
- Gulf Air: Suspended due to Bahrain closure; Kuwait Airways halted all after airport drone damage, eyeing land repatriation.
International updates: British Airways added Muscat-London Heathrow flights March 5-7, suspended others; Air India limited Dubai/Jeddah services for stranded passengers until 23:59 IST March 5; Lufthansa Group suspended to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, Tehran until March 8, avoiding regional airspace.
Airlines urge checking websites, avoiding unconfirmed airport travel, and preparing for rebooking/refunds. Qatar Airways posted on X: 'Operations remain suspended due to Qatari airspace closure; resumption awaits authority announcement.' Aviation authorities monitor for reopenings as the crisis persists.
