Summary
Airspace across parts of the Middle East closed and many flights were disrupted after the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday morning. President Donald Trump confirmed “major combat operations” were underway. Governments urged citizens to leave Iran, Israel and parts of the wider region while airlines and aviation authorities revised routes and operations as risk assessments changed. This article was updated with new information on February 28, 2026.
What closed and where
Several countries temporarily closed their airspace, affecting commercial operations across the region. Affected states include the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran, Israel, Iraq and Bahrain. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) described the measure as a precaution to protect flights, crews and national territory.
Dubai impact
All flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central—Al Maktoum International (DWC) were suspended until further notice. Dubai Media Offices advised passengers not to travel to the airports and to contact their airlines for updates.
Other airports and airspace notes
– Kuwait closed its airspace and reported a drone attack at Kuwait International Airport that caused minor injuries and limited damage to Terminal 1.
– Qatar and Bahrain closed their airspace.
– Iran, Iraq and Israel also closed or heavily restricted airspace.
– Saudi Arabia’s airspace was affected; however, not all flights were grounded. Passengers flying into Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam were advised to check directly with their airlines.
Airlines and route changes
Carriers operating to and from closed airspace or affected airports adjusted schedules, canceled services or rebooked passengers. Notable actions reported:
– Emirates: Grounded all flights from Dubai; advising customers to monitor updates and contact the airline or travel agent.
– Etihad Airways: Reported cancellations and advised affected customers to contact the airline or booking agent for rebooking.
– Qatar Airways: Suspended flights to/from Doha while Qatari airspace was closed; prepared additional ground staff to assist passengers once operations resumed.
– Flydubai: Adjusted its schedule and contacted impacted travelers.
– British Airways: Canceled London flights to Amman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha on Saturday and grounded flights to/from Bahrain and Tel Aviv until March 3.
– Gulf Air: Flights to/from Bahrain were affected; check the airline website.
– Lufthansa: Suspended flights to/from Dubai for Feb 28–Mar 1; services to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman suspended through at least March 7.
– Virgin Atlantic: Suspended London–Dubai flights on Saturday as a precaution.
– Norwegian: Canceled Dubai flights until at least March 4 pending further assessment.
– Air India: Suspended all flights to the Middle East, including Dubai.
– KLM: Suspended services to Tel Aviv, Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam; affected customers are being rebooked or offered refunds/vouchers.
Destinations most affected
Major hubs and transit corridors with significant disruption included Tel Aviv, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait City, Bahrain and Iranian and Iraqi airspace, which many Western carriers avoided entirely.
Guidance from aviation authorities
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an advisory recommending European carriers avoid operating in the affected airspaces at all flight levels and urged airlines to follow national authority guidance and official aeronautical publications. The UAE GCAA called the closures an exceptional precaution.
What travelers should expect and do
– Expect cancellations, delays and rerouting that may increase flight times or require technical fuel stops.
– Check your airline’s website, app or booking agent for real-time updates, rebooking options and refund policies. Airlines have been offering flexible rebooking and refunds, but policies differ by carrier.
– Do not travel to affected airports unless instructed by your airline.
– If you are in the region, follow local government travel advisories and register with your embassy if required.
– Allow extra time for connections and expect knock-on schedule changes even after airspace reopens.
Final note
Situation and airline responses are evolving quickly. Travelers should monitor official airline communications, national aviation authorities and government travel advice for the latest information.
