Middle East airspace closures trigger widespread flight cancellations and suspensions

Airlines canceled, suspended, or diverted flights after multiple Middle Eastern countries closed airspace following strikes on Iran starting 28 February 2026. Dubai International Airport halted operations, with significant disruption also reported in Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh. Daily cancellations ran into the hundreds and thousands, with high rates in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad were among the most affected carriers. Limited services began to resume by 3–4 March, while many routes remain paused and rebooking and refund options are in place.

Airspace closures across several Middle Eastern countries following strikes on Iran beginning 28 February 2026 led airlines to cancel, divert, or postpone thousands of flights. Authorities in Iran, Israel, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Jordan, and others restricted airspace, prompting immediate schedule changes across the region.

Major hubs were directly impacted. Dubai International Airport suspended operations, with significant cancellations also reported in Abu Dhabi. Disruptions extended to cities including Doha and Riyadh. Data indicated the scale of the cancellations: on 28 February nearly 966 of 4,218 scheduled arrivals to Middle Eastern countries were canceled; on 1 March, 716 scheduled flights were canceled; and on 2 March, about 1,555 of 5,340 flights (approximately 29.1%) did not operate. Some countries experienced very high cancellation rates, including up to 97% in Bahrain and over 80% in Qatar and the UAE.

Airlines adjusted networks and schedules. Emirates canceled nearly 500 flights, Qatar Airways 423, and Etihad 193, with Qatar Airways suspending its entire network pending the reopening of Qatari airspace. Other carriers announcing suspensions or cancellations included Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air, Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air. Delta Air Lines suspended its Tel Aviv–New York service through 9 March. British Airways paused departures from locations including Dubai and Doha for several days, with plans to resume limited service. Lufthansa Group halted flights to several destinations—such as Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Amman—into early March, while Air France, KLM, Swiss, Finnair, and others also issued cancellations or suspensions.

Passenger impact was extensive, with large numbers of travelers stranded or facing diversions. Dublin recorded dozens of cancellations, including 16 Middle East-bound flights, leaving thousands overseas. Some carriers initiated repatriation efforts, though availability was limited. Airlines provided rebooking options or full refunds; Emirates asked only passengers with confirmed bookings or those contacted directly to proceed to the airport, while Qatar Airways and Etihad issued flexible travel options. European and Indian carriers announced waivers to facilitate rescheduling or refunds.

By 3–4 March, limited services began to resume, particularly among Gulf carriers such as Etihad and Emirates, though many commercial operations remained suspended. Several airlines indicated suspensions would continue at least through 5 March. Travel advisories were heightened for multiple countries in the region, and ongoing adjustments to flight schedules are expected as airspace restrictions evolve.