Escalating tensions from US-Israeli strikes on Iran—codenamed 'Operation Epic Fury,' reportedly killing supreme leader Ali Khamenei—and Iranian missile retaliation have shut down airspace across the Middle East since February 28, 2026. Thousands of flights canceled daily, stranding hundreds of thousands at hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Israel. Airlines including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways suspended operations with limited resumptions on March 2. The UK FCDO updated warnings for 21 countries, advising against all but essential travel to several nations and shelter-in-place for British nationals.
The conflict intensified with US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory missile attacks on Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, and US bases in the region. Major airports—Dubai International, Abu Dhabi's Zayed International, Doha's Hamad International, and others—closed, canceling over 4,000 flights daily. Flightradar24 reported 79% of flights to Qatar and 71% to the UAE grounded on March 2, severely impacting Europe-Asia-Australia connections. Dubai, which welcomed 19.59 million visitors in 2025, saw immediate slowdowns.
Emirates suspended all Dubai flights until 11:00 GMT on March 3, 2026; Etihad halted Abu Dhabi services until 14:00 UAE time that day; Qatar Airways kept Doha grounded pending airspace reopening. Limited resumptions began March 2: Etihad's EY67 to London Heathrow departed Abu Dhabi at 14:39 local (landing 19:17 GMT); Emirates' EK500 to Mumbai left Dubai at 17:12 local. Etihad also flew to Paris and Mumbai; Emirates prioritized rebooked passengers. Global carriers like Lufthansa, Air India, and British Airways rerouted or suspended services.
The UK FCDO updated advice for 21 countries on March 2, advising against all travel to Israel, Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan, and all but essential travel to the UAE (including Dubai/Abu Dhabi), Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. British nationals in the UAE were told: 'Due to reported missile attacks, immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow local authorities.' Over 100,000 Britons registered in the region for alerts.
The UAE government is covering accommodation for ~20,000 stranded travelers. Hospitality firms like Marriott, Hilton, and Accor report cancellations offset by extended stays, but volatility persists. Experts warn of prolonged issues: Flightradar24's Ian Petchenik said the crisis 'will only increase the longer it continues' with 'enormous repercussions,' including higher fuel costs from rerouting.
Travelers should monitor airline apps, register with embassies, avoid airports unless instructed, and check FCDO updates as situations evolve rapidly.
