Middle East airspace closures disrupt flights and shut Gulf hubs

Airspace closures across the Middle East since Feb 28, 2026 have caused widespread cancellations, diversions, and suspensions. Gulf hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha were closed, affecting airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air India, IndiGo, and others. India saw 350 flight cancellations on Mar 1, while Mumbai Airport alone recorded 57. Some airlines announced time-bound suspensions, and several routes from China to the Gulf and Israel were halted. Recovery is expected to take days as aircraft and crews are repositioned.

Airspace closures implemented across multiple Middle Eastern countries from Feb 28, 2026 have led to extensive flight cancellations, diversions, and schedule suspensions. Authorities in Iran, Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates imposed restrictions affecting commercial aviation. Major hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha were shut, disrupting international connections and stranding passengers.

Real-time analyses cited in the article confirm that thousands of flights were canceled region-wide, with major carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways heavily impacted. As of Feb 28, 2026, Cirium reported cancellation rates of approximately 38.5% for Emirates, over 50% for Flydubai, and around 41% for Qatar Airways. Inbound cancellations were also high: about 35% for flights bound for the UAE and over half for Qatar. Overall, nearly 24% of scheduled flights across the Middle East were canceled.

Several airlines issued formal suspensions or route changes. Lufthansa suspended flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi and planned to avoid UAE airspace until at least Mar 4. Etihad halted all Abu Dhabi flights until 14:00 UAE time on Mar 3. Air India extended suspensions on routes to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar through Mar 2, while IndiGo curtailed services including Bengaluru–Doha. In India, 350 flights were canceled on Mar 1, with fare waivers and flexible rebooking offered by carriers. At Mumbai airport, 57 flights were canceled by the evening of Mar 1 (24 arrivals, 33 departures). Additional adjustments by Air India, Akasa Air, and Air India Express affected international services to Europe, North America, and the Gulf.

Beyond South Asia, Virgin Australia canceled six flights to and from Doha, offering free changes, credits, or refunds. Qantas services were not affected at the time of reporting. From China, Air China canceled Beijing–Abu Dhabi, Chongqing–Dubai, and Beijing–Dubai flights from Feb 28 through Mar 2. Flights from mainland China to Israel were halted on Mar 1.

Ongoing NOTAMs have forced reroutes that increase flight times, fuel burn, and crew duty challenges, causing additional delays. Recovery is expected to take days as airlines reposition aircraft and crews. Governments, including the UK, announced evacuation and repatriation plans, while regional authorities and travel agencies, such as in the Maldives, issued advisories urging travelers to monitor schedules and allow extra time for transit changes.