The conflict in Iran is causing widespread aviation disruption in the Middle East and globally, grounding flights in a major travel hub. Airlines have cancelled flights to and through multiple cities in the region, impacting thousands of travellers.
Is Middle East airspace still closed?
A large section of airspace over the Middle East remains closed on Monday as countries neighbouring Iran restrict flights. This includes the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain and Iraq, with skies over these areas nearly empty Monday morning, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.
The Middle East is home to major airlines including Emirates and Etihad in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways, based in Doha. The impact extends far beyond the region, as these cities are major global transit hubs.
Qatar Airways flights to and from Doha’s Hamad International Airport have been suspended. Emirates and Etihad suspended all flights to and from their bases until Monday afternoon local time, though it appeared unlikely flights would resume soon.
How many flights have been cancelled?
Thousands of international flights were cancelled on Sunday and Monday, according to data from FlightAware.com, and the numbers continue to rise.
Lufthansa has suspended flights to and from Dubai until March 4, and also to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, Dammam, and Tehran until March 8. British Airways has cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday.
What should you do if your flight is cancelled?
The aviation impact is expected to continue for several days. Travellers are advised to check with their airline or travel agent for rebooking and refund information, though passengers are reporting difficulties due to high call volumes.
Emirates allows travellers booked to fly before or on March 5 to book an alternate flight for travel on or before March 20, or request a refund. Etihad allows guests holding tickets issued on or before February 28, 2026, with original travel dates up to March 7, to rebook free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights up to March 18.
British Airways says customers flying between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv up to March 15 can change their flight date free of charge to travel on or before March 29, while those travelling up to March 8 may also request a full refund.
What are governments advising?
The US State Department has issued a security alert advising US citizens worldwide to “exercise caution” and follow guidance from their nearest US embassy or consulate. US citizens are encouraged to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Canada advises Canadians to avoid all travel to Bahrain, Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE and to avoid non-essential travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
The UK government says British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should register their presence to receive updates from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Australia has warned its citizens overseas to be prepared for serious travel disruptions and to avoid most destinations in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. They should also reconsider the need to travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
What is being done for stranded passengers?
The United Arab Emirates will cover the food and accommodation costs of tens of thousands of travellers stranded in the country. The UAE’s Department of Culture and Tourism has requested hotels extend the stay of passengers unable to travel, with both Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport suffering damage from Iranian strikes.
More than 20,000 travellers have been affected by flight cancellations since UAE airports closed on Saturday.
Are countries arranging repatriation flights for their citizens?
Multiple governments are discussing options to get stranded travellers home, including repatriation flights. Thailand has announced it is “readying to evacuate its citizens” by “military or charter flights,” with approximately 110,000 Thai nationals residing in the region, including roughly 65,000 in Israel and about 250 in Iran.
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