Last updated: March 13, 2026
Overview
The conflict in Iran and subsequent US and Israeli strikes on February 28 triggered widespread airspace restrictions across the Gulf, producing large numbers of delays, cancellations and rebookings. Several Gulf states implemented full or partial closures and temporary flight restrictions. Some controlled aviation corridors have opened, allowing a small number of departures from hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, while most services remain limited. Major UAE carriers are operating reduced schedules; airlines will contact affected passengers directly if they are rebooked onto confirmed flights.
Airports and hubs still affected
Do not travel to an airport unless your carrier has told you to do so. Major airports with ongoing disruption include Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International (AUH), Bahrain International, Doha’s Hamad International (DOH), Kuwait International (KWI), Tehran’s Imam Khomeini and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion. Operations at each location vary as authorities and airlines adjust to evolving permissions.
Airline status summaries
– Emirates: Running a much-reduced timetable to roughly 75 destinations, prioritizing repatriation and cargo services and honoring existing bookings where possible. Transit passengers are accepted only if onward connections are confirmed. Emirates expects to scale up operations as airspace and safety conditions allow.
– Etihad Airways: Operating a limited schedule to about 70 destinations through March 19, with tickets on sale and plans to add routes when feasible. Customers whose tickets were issued on or before February 28 for travel through March 10 may change bookings without rebooking fees for travel through March 31.
– Qatar Airways: Issued a March 13 advisory for temporary repatriation flights through March 17 to select European capitals (London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Madrid, Rome Fiumicino and Frankfurt) under limited corridors authorized by Qatar’s civil aviation authority. This does not equate to a full resumption of normal scheduled services.
– Flydubai: Operating a reduced schedule plus repatriation flights. Passengers booked between February 28 and March 31 may rebook to the same or a different destination within 30 days of the original date without penalties.
– Oman Air: Cancelled several regional routes for March 9–15 but has added extra services in recent days, operating nearly 80 additional flights and using extra frequencies and cross-border bus transfers where needed to assist stranded travellers.
– Air Arabia: Offering a limited number of UAE services through March 22, subject to regulatory approvals. Cancelled-passenger options include rebooking or refunds in line with the airline’s policy.
– British Airways: Cancelled flights between Heathrow and Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv up to March 28 and suspended the London–Abu Dhabi seasonal service. BA has added extra long‑haul capacity and is providing options to affected customers.
– Gulf Air: Suspended all inbound, outbound and transit flights while Bahraini airspace remains closed. The carrier moved fleet out of Bahrain as a precaution and will resume only when authorities deem it safe.
– Lufthansa Group: Has suspended services to and from several Middle East destinations through late March or early April on certain routes; specific suspensions vary across group carriers.
– Virgin Atlantic: Suspended its seasonal London–Dubai service and temporarily paused Riyadh flights. The airline is contacting impacted customers and coordinating returns for those away from home.
– Air India / Air India Express: Operating a limited and largely ad-hoc mix of scheduled and non‑scheduled flights from Gulf airports and the wider West Asia region, dependent on available slots and permissions.
– KLM: Cancelled flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam through March 28; offering free rebooking or refunds for cancellations and participating in repatriation efforts.
– SalamAir: Operating services between Fujairah and Muscat with onward connections to several regional cities; tickets are available via the airline and authorized agents.
– Kuwait Airways: Commercial operations at Kuwait International are on hold. Kuwaiti citizens with bookings are being repatriated via Jeddah with the final leg by land into Kuwait.
– Air Canada: Cancelled flights to Dubai through March 28 and suspended Tel Aviv service through May 2. Passengers with affected bookings to certain Middle East cities can change travel dates within the airline’s permitted window.
Which countries have closed or limited airspace?
– United Arab Emirates: Partially reopened airspace for a limited number of repatriation and controlled flights from main airports. Airlines advise passengers not to travel to airports unless contacted with a confirmed booking.
– Qatar: Partially reopened for narrowly defined repatriation corridors. Regular scheduled commercial traffic remains suspended.
– Iran, Iraq, Israel, Bahrain: Airspace is closed or heavily restricted.
– Kuwait: Closed following a reported drone attack at Kuwait International that caused minor injuries and material damage to Terminal 1.
– Saudi Arabia: The US Department of State reports Saudi airspace is open and commercial flights from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran are operating; however, cancellations and delays may still be significant.
Destinations and corridors most impacted
– Tel Aviv: Strong restrictions and widespread suspension of international services.
– Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Partially reopened but operating on a selective, limited basis; airlines will advise booked passengers if a flight is confirmed.
– Iran and Iraq: Airspace closures or routings that avoid these countries are causing longer sector times and diversions.
– Kuwait: Commercial operations suspended following airport damage.
– Doha: Closed for general traffic but a few repatriation corridors are in use.
– Bahrain: Airspace closed per Bahraini authorities.
How this may affect your travel
– Cancellations: Flights can be grounded while airspace closures remain in effect.
– Rerouting and longer flight times: Carriers reroute around closed airspace, which can add fuel stops or significantly extend journeys.
– Schedule disruption: Airlines must reallocate aircraft and crews, producing knock‑on delays and timetable changes as services restart.
– Ad hoc operations: Some carriers are operating repatriation or unscheduled flights; these change quickly as permissions evolve.
What you should do
– Wait for contact from your airline before heading to the airport; most carriers will reach out with rebooking, refund or repatriation details.
– Keep your phone number and email up to date in your booking and check airline advisories, airport notices and government travel guidance frequently.
– Review your airline’s rebooking and refund policies; many carriers have introduced temporary flexibility for affected travel dates.
– Consider travel insurance that covers cancellations and disruptions, and save confirmations of any changes the airline makes to your booking.
Source and credits
This summary is based on airline and authority notices current to March 13, 2026. The article was originally published by Condé Nast Traveller Middle East; additional reporting by Hannah Towey.
