Global air travel has been massively affected in recent days as tensions flared again in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran. The attack, officially called Operation Epic Fury, has already resulted in the death of Iran’s longtime Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many other top leaders.
Which airspaces are open?
Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US bases across the region, forcing the shutdown of most Gulf countries except Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman and Egypt.
Countries that have closed airspace
Countries that have confirmed the complete closure of their airspace to civil traffic are: Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria and Bahrain. United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace is partially and temporarily closed.
Current flight and airport status:
Dubai Airports (DXB and DWC): All flight operations are suspended “until further notice”.
Abu Dhabi (AUH): All flight operations suspended “until further notice”.
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Sharjah International Airport (SHJ): Temporarily suspended all flight operations “until further notice”.
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT): Suspended for all flight operations “until further notice”.
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH): While the airport is not closed, there are significant operational disruptions due to regional airspace closures. Many international carriers, including Lufthansa, Air India and Virgin Atlantic, have suspended flights to Riyadh.
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Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH): All commercial flights to and from Doha are suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
Jerusalem Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV): Closed to all civil air traffic.
Bahrain International Airport (BIA): Closed to flight operations “until further notice”.
Airlines that have canceled flights
Emirates: All operations to and from Dubai are suspended until at least 15:00 UAE time on Monday 2 March 2026.
Qatar Airways: Operations from Doha remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
Etihad Airways: All flights to and from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 02:00 UAE time on Monday 2 March 2026.
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flydubai: All flights to and from Dubai are suspended until 15:00 UAE time on Monday 2 March 2026.
Air Arabia: Flights to and from the UAE are suspended until 2 March 2026 at 15:00 UAE time.
Turkish Airlines: Canceled flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan until March 2, 2026.
Oman Air: Canceled flights to and from Amman and other routes.
Kuwait Airways: Canceled flights to Amman and Beirut.
Jazeera Airways: All routes to Iran and several regional routes are suspended.
Gulf Air: Flights to Iraq, Jordan and other affected regional sectors.
Royal Jordanian: Several regional flights have been cancelled.
Saudia, Flynas: Regional disruptions and cancellations.
Iraqi Airways, Iran Aseman Airlines: Flights are grounded.
EgyptAir: Canceled several flights to the Persian Gulf.
Key things
- The Middle East is experiencing significant air travel disruption due to regional tensions.
- Several airlines have suspended flights to and from key airports in the Gulf region.
- Passengers are advised to keep the flight status updated as the situation develops.
