NEWS: Aviation Disruptions in the Middle East Amid Escalating Iran-US Conflict Impact Thousands of Travellers
- Discovering Hospitality
- 31 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The ongoing Iran-US conflict has caused one of the most significant disruptions to air travel in the Middle East since the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing airlines worldwide to cancel or reroute hundreds of flights and leaving thousands of travellers stranded.
Airspace closures now affect Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait, while major long-haul hubs including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha—key connections between Europe and Asia—have been directly impacted by strikes, creating unprecedented operational challenges.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, approximately 966 flights (22.9%) of 4,200 scheduled on 28 February were cancelled, with another 716 cancellations on 1 March. Flight tracking data from FlightAware shows more than 6,000 delays and nearly 1,800 cancellations as of 2 March, 4 PM SGT.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE has announced intensified efforts to coordinate schedules and maintain continuity of operations for passengers. Selected flights have been rerouted between UAE airports, and 20,000 passengers affected by schedule changes have received support for accommodations and trip rebooking. Abu Dhabi authorities have instructed hotels to extend stays for stranded travellers and will cover all associated costs.
Several carriers have suspended operations in the region:
Qatar Airways operations remain suspended until Qatari airspace reopens.
Emirates warns of ongoing disruptions through 5 March.
Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines have indefinitely cancelled flights to the Middle East.
British Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines have temporarily suspended services to affected destinations, with Singapore Airlines cancelling all Dubai flights until 7 March.
Airlines including Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines are offering travellers refunds for unused ticket portions without penalty, emphasizing flexibility amid the ongoing crisis.
Iranian airspace is currently closed until 3 March, 8:30 AM, with further extensions possible. Passengers are advised to check with their carriers for updates and travel guidance.
