- Flight Disruptions
- Middle East airspace closures disrupt flights; limited UAE operations resume
Middle East airspace closures disrupt flights; limited UAE operations resume
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on 6 March 2026
6
Affected airports
15
Affected airlines
6
Affected airports
15
Affected airlines
What Happened
Widespread airspace restrictions across the Middle East are disrupting commercial flights, with the UAE enabling controlled repatriation services and limited operations at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports. Multiple airlines have suspended or reduced services, issued rebooking options, and rerouted flights to avoid closed airspace. Countries with closures or partial restrictions include the UAE, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Travelers should expect cancellations, schedule changes, longer flight times, and occasional technical fuel stops while airlines manage reroutes and special operations.
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
Commercial aviation across the Middle East is experiencing significant disruption due to widespread airspace restrictions. Authorities report closures and constraints affecting the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Israel, and Iraq, with Saudi Arabia operating under partial restrictions.
Within the UAE, controlled emergency corridors have enabled repatriation flights since early March. A total of 60 such flights have transported 17,498 passengers since March 1. Limited commercial services have begun to resume at Dubai International (DXB), Dubai World Central (DWC), and Zayed International Airport (AUH). Passengers are advised to wait for direct airline confirmation before traveling to the airport. Alternative transport is in place for some travelers: Oman Air and SalamAir are running bus transfers between Sharjah and Muscat, with SalamAir confirming transfer windows on March 5.
Airlines have adjusted schedules and policies as the situation evolves:
- Emirates plans limited departures from Friday, March 13, prioritizing existing bookings and repatriation. Transit passengers should travel only with confirmed onward connections.
- Etihad is operating a small number of flights for stranded passengers while its standard schedule remains grounded until at least 6 a.m. on Friday, March 6. Fee-free rebooking is available for tickets issued on or before February 28 for travel through March 10, with rebooking permitted until March 31.
- Qatar Airways remains suspended pending a safety review of Qatari airspace, with an update due at 9 a.m. Doha time on March 6.
- flydubai resumed limited operations from DXB Terminals 2 and 3 on March 3; passengers should await confirmation before heading to the airport.
- Air Arabia services to and from the UAE are suspended until 3 p.m. local time on Monday, March 9, with potential limited flights subject to safety approval.
- British Airways offers free rebooking for flights between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, or Tel Aviv through March 15, and full refunds for travel through March 8.
- Gulf Air remains suspended while Bahraini airspace is closed; an update was scheduled by 11 a.m. Bahrain time on March 5.
- Lufthansa has suspended flights to/from Dubai until March 6 and to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Tehran until at least March 8. Repatriation flights from Muscat to Frankfurt are being arranged.
- Virgin Atlantic has resumed London–Dubai and London–Riyadh services with reroutes around closed airspace, noting longer flight times.
- Air India has suspended most Middle East routes except Jeddah, offering fee-free rescheduling and refunds for bookings dated February 28 to March 10.
- KLM anticipates disruptions to Tel Aviv, Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam through at least Friday, March 6.
- SalamAir is operating flights from Fujairah to Muscat with onward connections on March 4 and 5.
- Kuwait Airways has suspended operations at Kuwait International Airport; Kuwaiti citizens are being repatriated via Jeddah with completion by land to Kuwait. Registration remains open through March 6.
- Air Canada will suspend Dubai and Tel Aviv services until March 22.
Travelers should expect cancellations, schedule changes even when flights resume, longer routings, and occasional unscheduled technical fuel stops—particularly on certain carriers. Airline refund and rebooking policies vary by carrier and route.
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
Airlines affected
Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia, British Airways, Gulf Air, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Air India, KLM, SalamAir, Kuwait Airways, Air Canada, Oman Air
Airports affected
Dubai International, Dubai World Central, Zayed International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, King Khalid International Airport, London Heathrow
Cities affected
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Tel Aviv, Amman, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Beirut, Tehran, Muscat, Fujairah, Sharjah, Frankfurt, London, Kuwait
Countries affected
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
6 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.
