Middle East conflict triggers widespread flight cancellations and delays across UAE hubs and beyond

Airspace closures linked to escalating conflict have caused extensive cancellations and delays across key Middle East hubs, impacting carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, FlyDubai, Flynas, and Royal Jordanian. Reported figures include more than 460 cancellations and 321 delays across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, plus additional disruptions at Al Maktoum. Regionally, over 2,650 flights have been canceled. Emirates and Etihad have restarted limited services, while Hamad International Airport has remained closed for periods. Disruption began around February 28 and continues into early March.

Flight operations across the Middle East have been heavily disrupted due to escalating conflict and related airspace closures. In the United Arab Emirates, more than 460 flights were canceled and 321 delayed across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, while Al Maktoum International Airport separately reported nine cancellations and 14 delays. Region-wide impacts span multiple hubs, including Dubai, Hamad, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Al Maktoum.

Cancellations have mounted across several major airlines. Reported figures include Emirates canceling 471 flights (88% of its operations), Qatar Airways 470 (77%), FlyDubai 211 (62%), and Etihad 113 (36%), among others. In total, more than 2,650 flights were canceled across the region. On February 28 alone, over 1,800 flights were canceled following airspace shutdowns, underscoring the scale of the disruption.

The cause of the disruption is tied to heightened hostilities and retaliatory attacks that prompted widespread airspace restrictions between February 28 and March 4. During this period, missile and drone strikes targeting the UAE were reported, with debris incidents around Dubai adding to operational challenges and safety measures.

Airlines have adjusted operations as conditions evolve. Emirates and Etihad initially suspended regular passenger services, maintaining limited cargo and evacuation flights. By early March, Emirates resumed a restricted network to 82 destinations, with transit in Dubai permitted only for travelers holding confirmed onward connections. Etihad restarted flights to 25 cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, and New York, operating a reduced schedule expected to continue through March 19. Qatar Airways’ operations at Hamad International Airport were curtailed for periods, with limited updates provided, and some regional airspace remained restricted, prompting reroutings and additional cancellations.

The disruption has also affected tourism sectors, with hotels in the UAE reporting higher cancellations. Additional knock-on impacts were noted in other destinations, including Thailand and Cyprus, reflecting broader travel uncertainty linked to the conflict. As of early March, the situation remains fluid, with airlines operating limited services and advising passengers to monitor schedules closely while airspace constraints persist.