Flight Disruptions Hit Middle East Amid Iran Conflict: What Travelers Need to Know
Travel plans across the Middle East have faced major disruptions following recent conflict involving Iran. After strikes by the US and Israel on Iran began February 28, several Gulf states closed or restricted their airspaces. Countries affected include the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Israel, and Iraq. This has caused delays, cancellations, and limited flight availability in the region.
Airspace Closures and Impacted Airports
Due to safety concerns, many countries imposed full or partial airspace closures. Flights are gradually resuming using controlled aviation corridors around the Middle East. Key airports impacted include:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport
- Bahrain International Airport
- Hamad International Airport in Doha
- Kuwait International Airport
- Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran
- Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv
Passengers are advised to avoid traveling to airports unless their airline confirms their flights.
Flight Operations Update
Since a drone-related fire paused flights at Dubai International on March 16, flights have slowly resumed. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, reported the airport has handled over one million passengers in 17 days despite the disruption and is operating at about 40-45% of normal traffic.
Several airlines have adjusted their services, resuming limited flights or suspending routes entirely:
- El Al (Israel) is running six non-stop flights from Tel Aviv to New York exclusively for US citizens stranded in Israel. Affected travelers are urged to apply through an official form for these recovery flights.
- Emirates resumed a reduced schedule after the DXB fire. Passengers with disrupted tickets can rebook flights at no extra cost.
- Etihad Airways operates a limited schedule to 70 destinations and offers fee-free ticket changes for affected passengers.
- Qatar Airways is flying limited routes from Doha on March 17 and 18 to various global cities via authorized corridors, emphasizing these flights do not represent a full resumption of normal service.
- Flydubai is gradually restoring flights but some remain canceled or rescheduled. The airline is notifying impacted customers.
- Oman Air suspended flights to multiple destinations until March 22, with updates expected afterward.
- Air Arabia runs limited flights from the UAE to select cities until March 22, subject to approvals.
- Air India canceled all Dubai flights on March 17 but operates limited flights from other UAE airports. Scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat continue.
- IndiGo suspended services to several nearby cities until March 28 due to suspended landing permissions at Dubai airport.
- British Airways canceled flights from London to destinations including Dubai, Amman, Bahrain, and Tel Aviv through May 31. Doha flights resume late April, with London-Abu Dhabi flights suspended for the year.
- Gulf Air suspended flights from Bahrain indefinitely due to closed airspace but offers flights from Dammam to various cities. Ground transport links support passengers traveling between Bahrain and Dammam.
- Lufthansa halted flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other Middle Eastern cities until at least March 28 and extended suspension to Tel Aviv and Tehran flights until April and May respectively.
- Virgin Atlantic paused its London to Dubai route for the season and Riyadh flights until March 25, focusing on repatriation.
- KLM canceled flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam through March 28 and supports ticket rebooking or refunds.
- SalamAir operates limited flights between Fujairah and Muscat with connections but suspended flights remain for Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran until April 30. Other regional flights resume March 31.
- Kuwait Airways halted commercial flights at Kuwait airport. Kuwaiti citizens are repatriated via Jeddah with land travel for the final leg.
- Air Canada canceled all Dubai flights through March 28 and suspended service to Tel Aviv through May 2. #### Advice for Travelers
Passengers should stay in contact with their airlines and only travel to airports after receiving direct confirmation. Airlines are actively rebooking or refunding tickets for affected travelers. Travelers in the Middle East region should monitor updates closely as the security situation evolves and airspace restrictions may change with short notice.
This update reflects conditions as of March 17, 2026, and serves to guide passengers navigating ongoing flight disruptions due to regional instability.
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