Global flight cancellations persist as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha remain closed

Global air travel remains heavily disrupted on 2 March 2026. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha stayed closed for a third day, with hundreds of cancellations by Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways. Air India suspended services from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to major destinations. FlightAware reported thousands of cancellations over the weekend, and Monday began with more than 1,239 flights canceled early. Airspace over several Middle Eastern countries was largely empty, while some flights rerouted. Travelers are advised to expect further delays and cancellations.

Air travel disruption continued on Monday, 2 March 2026, with widespread cancellations and ongoing airport closures across the Gulf. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha remained shut for a third consecutive day, halting operations at three of the region’s primary transit hubs. Early on Monday, more than 1,239 flights were canceled, extending a wave of disruption that saw nearly 2,800 cancellations on Saturday and 3,156 on Sunday, according to FlightAware.

Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways canceled hundreds of services, while Air India suspended flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to key destinations in Europe and North America. Flight tracking data indicated that airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar was largely empty on Monday, forcing some operating flights to take longer reroutes to avoid closed corridors.

The shutdown of major hubs has been intensified by the scattering of crews and pilots worldwide, complicating any rapid return to normal schedules once airspace reopens. Passengers gathered at major airports seeking updates, while private jet demand rose sharply; a Saudi-based brokerage reported prices up to $350,000 for flights from Riyadh to Europe amid constrained options.

The disruption has also affected cargo movements, given the region’s importance for air freight, adding further pressure to trade routes. Financial markets reflected the strain on aviation, with airline stocks in parts of Asia and Australia declining, and oil prices rising; Brent crude reached around $80 per barrel, with some forecasts suggesting potential further increases.

Some flights that did operate were rerouted around restricted areas, narrowing available paths and increasing complexity for airlines. Travelers have been advised to expect continued cancellations and further schedule changes as conditions evolve. Recovery is anticipated to be gradual once restrictions ease, with operational challenges likely to persist in the near term.