Middle East Airspace Shutdown Disrupts Global Flights After U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran

Airlines across the Middle East suspended flights after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered widespread airspace closures, severely disrupting global travel. Major aviation hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Tel Aviv faced cancellations, delays, and diversions as tensions escalated and Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks.

Dubai Airports halted operations at both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport until further notice, urging passengers not to travel. Emirates and flydubai temporarily stopped flights, while Etihad Airways suspended departures from Abu Dhabi until 1000 GMT Sunday. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, and Bahrain was left nearly empty, according to flight tracking data, as airlines scrambled to reroute aircraft.

The impact quickly spread beyond the region. Travelers across Europe were stranded after connecting flights through Doha and Dubai were cancelled. At Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, passengers bound for Asia were forced to rearrange their plans, while Doha’s Hamad International Airport saw reduced activity with travelers seeking hotel accommodations.

Preliminary data from Cirium revealed that around 24% of flights to the Middle East were cancelled, including nearly half of all scheduled flights to Qatar and Israel and 28% of flights to Kuwait. Aviation experts warn that Middle East airspace closures could remain in place for an extended period, creating logistical challenges for airlines managing stranded aircraft, crews, and passengers worldwide.

European aviation regulator EASA advised carriers to avoid affected airspace. British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Iberia, Wizz Air, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air India, and others announced suspensions or route adjustments. Virgin Atlantic confirmed it would avoid Iraqi airspace, leading to further rerouting.

The disruption comes as Middle Eastern air routes have grown increasingly important following the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Prolonged instability now threatens global flight operations, increases fuel costs, and raises aviation safety concerns, potentially affecting international travel and airline schedules for weeks.