- Flight Disruptions
- Middle East airspace curbs disrupt flights; Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv affected
Middle East airspace curbs disrupt flights; Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv affected
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on 5 March 2026
11,000
Affected flights
1,000,000
Impacted travelers
10
Affected airports
13
Affected airlines
What Happened
Airspace restrictions and closures across parts of the Middle East have led to widespread flight cancellations, delays and reroutes. Key hubs in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv cut operations, with knock-on effects at major transit points including London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Istanbul, Delhi and Mumbai. More than 11,000 flights have been canceled or disrupted and over one million travelers affected. Airlines including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and several global carriers adjusted schedules, while repatriation and charter efforts are underway.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to €600 under passenger rights regulations. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the disruption.
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Flight Disruption Details
Airspace restrictions and closures linked to the conflict in West Asia and the Gulf have triggered significant disruption across the global aviation network. Authorities in Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates imposed limits or closed airspace to civilian traffic, prompting large-scale rerouting over longer paths such as Central Asia or the Arabian Sea.
Key regional hubs experienced reduced operations or suspensions, including Dubai International, Hamad International in Doha, Abu Dhabi airport and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion. Airports elsewhere in the region, including in Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman and Lebanon, as well as Iran’s Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad, reported cancellations, delays or altered operations. The ripple effects extended to major transit points such as Istanbul, London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Delhi and Mumbai.
According to the report, more than 11,000 flights worldwide have been canceled or disrupted, impacting over one million travelers. Flight times on many routes increased by one to three hours due to longer routings. Over 30 international airports have been directly affected.
Airlines adjusted schedules in response to safety advisories and airspace changes. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways curtailed services at their Gulf hubs. Other carriers—Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Air India, IndiGo, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Delta and American Airlines—canceled or rerouted services on routes across Europe, Asia and Israel.
Thousands of passengers have been stranded, with governments, embassies and airlines coordinating repatriation flights and charters. Some travelers are using private evacuation flights reportedly costing up to €200,000. Operationally, airlines face increased fuel burn from longer routings, while energy prices have risen by approximately 25–30 percent. Insurers and carriers are also contending with higher premiums and costs, which may flow through to fares.
Airlines are reassessing network design and routing to avoid sensitive airspace, with the potential for longer-term changes in flight paths and operational planning if instability persists.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you have rights. Most passenger protection laws cover the following:
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. Some laws say you can choose a full refund instead.
Food and essential care
Providing food and drinks is a basic right under many regulations. Typically after a delay of a few hours.
Accommodation
Some passenger rights say the airline must provide accommodation when your journey is delayed overnight.
Compensation
Good passenger rights ensure passengers get fairly compensated for delays and cancellations. Try our compensation check and find out how much money we can get you.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Other
Status
Current disruption
Compensation
May qualify for compensation
Flights affected
11000
Passengers affected
1000000
Airlines affected
Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Air India, IndiGo, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Delta, American Airlines
Airports affected
Dubai International, Hamad International, Abu Dhabi airport, Ben Gurion, London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Imam Khomeini, Mehrabad
Cities affected
Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Delhi, Mumbai
Countries affected
Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Lebanon
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
5 March 2026
What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled
If you're traveling to or from the European Union, here's what to do when your flight is unexpectedly scrubbed:
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
