Iran-Israel-US tensions: Every airline that has suspended, cancelled or rerouted flights to Middle East
Dubai International Airport among major hubs hit by escalating regional airspace shutdowns
DUBAI – Escalating hostilities between Iran, Israel and the United States have triggered one of the most significant aviation disruptions in recent years.
Following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory missile launches, multiple governments across the Middle East moved swiftly to close their airspace, paralysing a vital corridor linking Europe and Asia.
Flight-tracking data showed airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel and neighbouring states largely emptied within hours. Preliminary Cirium data indicated around 24 percent of all flights to the Middle East were cancelled on Saturday alone, including roughly half of scheduled services to Qatar and Israel and 28 percent to Kuwait. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency advised carriers to avoid the affected airspace until further notice.
Here’s the full breakdown of airspace closures and airline responses.
Countries that closed their airspace
At least eight nations shut their skies:
- Iran
- Israel
- Iraq
- Jordan
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Syria
These closures forced aircraft to divert via alternative hubs such as Larnaca, Jeddah, Cairo and Riyadh, adding hours to east-west journeys and stranding crews and passengers worldwide.
Operations were heavily impacted at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest international hub.
- Dubai Airports temporarily suspended flights at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International.
- Emirates and flydubai halted operations.
- Etihad Airways suspended departures from Abu Dhabi until 1000 GMT Sunday.
Airports urged passengers not to travel until flight status was confirmed.
European airlines
Major European carriers announced immediate cancellations and suspensions:
- British Airways: Cancelled Tel Aviv and Bahrain flights until March 3; cancelled Amman service on Saturday
- Lufthansa: Suspended Dubai services over the weekend; halted Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman routes until March 7; avoiding airspace over Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iran
- Air France: Cancelled Tel Aviv and Beirut flights
- KLM: Brought forward suspension of Amsterdam-Tel Aviv service
- Wizz Air: Halted Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman routes until March 7
- Virgin Atlantic: Avoiding Iraqi airspace; cancelled London Heathrow-Dubai service
- Swiss International Air Lines: Suspended Tel Aviv flights until March 7; cancelled Zurich-Dubai services on Feb 28 and March 1
- Iberia Express: Cancelled Tel Aviv flights
- Aegean Airlines: Suspended Tel Aviv, Beirut and Erbil routes
- Bulgaria Air: Cancelled Tel Aviv flights until March 2
- LOT Polish Airlines: Warsaw-Dubai flight forced to return mid-route
- Scandinavian Airlines also cited temporary suspensions.
Middle Eastern carriers
Regional airlines were equally affected:
- Qatar Airways: Temporarily suspended flights; announced resumption at 1900 Doha time Sunday
- Kuwait Airways: Halted all flights to Iran
- Oman Air: Suspended Baghdad services
- Turkish Airlines: Cancelled Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Jordan routes until March 2; cancelled select Gulf flights on February 28
- Ajet: Suspended Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon routes until March 2; cancelled UAE services on February 28
- Pegasus Airlines: Cancelled Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon routes until March 2; cancelled UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Bahrain services on February 28
Asian carriers
- Pakistan International Airlines: Suspended UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Doha flights; continued Saudi Arabia routes via longer diversions
- Air India: Suspended all Middle East services; diverted Delhi-Tel Aviv flight
- IndiGo: Issued disruption advisory
- SpiceJet: Warned of operational impact linked to Dubai airspace
- Japan Airlines: Cancelled Tokyo Haneda-Doha service on Feb 28 and March 1
- Cathay Pacific: Suspended Dubai and Riyadh passenger flights; halted freighter operations via Al Maktoum
- Russian carriers: Suspended all flights to Iran and Israel following transport ministry directive
With the regional security landscape shifting by the hour, airlines say schedules remain under constant review as authorities reassess airspace safety across the Middle East. Operations are expected to gradually stabilise once tensions ease and key corridors are cleared for normal traffic. Until then, passengers are advised to check flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport, monitor official updates closely, and be prepared for possible rerouting, delays or short-notice cancellations.