Airlines expand cancellations amid Middle East conflict

Disruption overview

Airlines worldwide are cancelling or suspending routes due to the Middle East conflict, following closures that include Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Numerous carriers have issued dated updates for Tel Aviv, Dubai, Riyadh and other destinations, while some are operating reduced schedules or limited resumptions. The evolving situation has also led to diversions and large-scale schedule changes.

Disruption details

Overview

Airlines are implementing widespread cancellations and suspensions as the conflict in Iran disrupts travel across the Middle East. Major transit hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi have been affected, prompting route withdrawals, reduced schedules and rerouting. The closures and restrictions have grounded large numbers of flights and left many passengers stranded or diverted.

Airline-by-airline updates

• Aegean Airlines: Tel Aviv suspended through early morning Mar 29; Beirut, Erbil and Baghdad for arrivals through Mar 29; Dubai cancelled until late Mar 28; Riyadh until Mar 14.

• Air Baltic: All Tel Aviv flights halted through Mar 28; Dubai routes suspended until Mar 16.

• Air Canada: All Tel Aviv flights cancelled until May 2; Dubai cancellations extended until Mar 28.

• Air Europa: Tel Aviv services removed from schedule until at least Mar 20.

• Air France: Tel Aviv and Beirut cancelled through Mar 15; Dubai and Riyadh cancelled until Mar 14.

• KLM: Riyadh and Dammam suspended through Mar 12; Dubai until Mar 28; Tel Aviv suspended for the remainder of its winter season.

• Cathay Pacific: Dubai and Riyadh halted until Mar 31.

• Delta: New York–Tel Aviv cancelled through Mar 22 (outbound) and Mar 23 (return).

• El Al and Sundor: Regular flights to and from Israel suspended until Mar 14.

• Emirates: Operating on a reduced schedule pending improved conditions.

• Etihad: Limited operations from Abu Dhabi resumed from Mar 6 to select destinations.

• Finnair: Doha and Dubai cancelled until Mar 29; avoiding airspace over Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel; Tehran suspended through Apr 30; Amman, Erbil, Dammam, Dubai and Abu Dhabi suspended through Mar 15.

• Malaysia Airlines: Doha paused until Mar 13; Jeddah and Madinah returned to normal operations from Mar 8.

• Norwegian Air: Plans to resume Tel Aviv and Beirut delayed to Jun 15 (from early April).

• Pegasus Airlines: Iran flights cancelled until Mar 28; Riyadh until Mar 10; services to Iraq, Amman, Beirut, Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah cancelled up to Mar 23.

• Qatar Airways: Operating a limited schedule; some Doha-based services planned to resume from Mar 9 with local authorization.

• Saudia: Flights to Amman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain suspended through Mar 10; Moscow and Peshawar through Mar 15; limited service to Dubai partially resumed.

• Turkish Airlines: Iran removed from schedule through Mar 12; flights to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan cancelled through Mar 13.

• Wizz Air: Israel services halted through Mar 29; Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman from mainland Europe suspended until mid‑September.

Airports and routes most cited

Hubs reported as affected include Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Frequently cited destinations and airspace constraints involve Tel Aviv, Beirut, Riyadh, Dammam, Tehran, Amman, Erbil, Jeddah and Madinah, with some carriers also avoiding or suspending operations related to Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel.

What passengers can expect

Carriers are using reduced schedules, repatriation services, temporary routing changes and limited resumptions as conditions allow. Given the evolving situation, passengers should monitor their booking status closely and follow airline guidance on rebooking and travel options.

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