- Flight Disruptions
- Middle East flight disruptions continue amid airspace limits and DXB restart
Middle East flight disruptions continue amid airspace limits and DXB restart
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By Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt
Last updated on 18 March 2026
1
Affected airports
16
Affected airlines
1
Affected airports
16
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
Flights across the Middle East remain disrupted due to conflict-related airspace restrictions and a recent fire at Dubai International Airport. DXB has restarted limited operations, while several countries maintain full or partial closures. Multiple airlines have suspended routes, adjusted schedules, or introduced repatriation services with specified dates. Travelers are advised to await direct airline contact before heading to airports as policies range from free rebooking to refunds, and operations can involve rerouting, schedule shifts, and longer flight times.
Disruption details
Flights across the Middle East are experiencing ongoing cancellations, delays, and rerouting due to regional conflict and operational constraints. A drone-induced fire at Dubai International Airport (DXB) halted operations before limited services resumed on March 16. As of March 17, DXB was operating at roughly 40–45% of typical traffic, having processed over one million passenger journeys in the past 17 days. Travelers are advised not to go to airports unless contacted directly by their airline with a confirmed itinerary.
Airspace measures vary by country. The UAE has partially reopened following the DXB incident. Qatar is allowing only repatriation corridors. Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Bahrain have full closures in place. Kuwait’s airspace remains closed after a drone strike damaged its airport terminal. Saudi Arabia’s airspace is open, though advisories note potential disruptions from missile or drone threats.
Airlines have updated schedules and policies:
- El Al operated six nonstop Tel Aviv–New York flights on March 16 to repatriate U.S. citizens, offering complimentary placement for disrupted travelers.
- Emirates reinstated a reduced schedule on March 16 and is rebooking disrupted passengers onto the next available services, including connections.
- Etihad is operating to about 70 destinations until March 19, selling tickets and allowing free rebooking for tickets issued by February 28 for travel through March 10 on departures up to March 31. Special repatriation flights are active.
- Qatar Airways is running repatriation flights on March 17–18 to cities including Cairo, Casablanca, New York, Frankfurt, Madrid, London, and Mumbai; this is not a return to regular service.
- flydubai is gradually restoring a reduced schedule and contacting affected customers.
- Oman Air suspended flights to/from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, and Beirut until at least March 22.
- Air Arabia continues limited service through March 22 on routes such as Vienna, Athens, Cairo, Kathmandu, Muscat, Islamabad, Jeddah, and Bangkok.
- Air India and Air India Express canceled all Dubai flights on March 17; limited ad-hoc services operate from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Salalah. Jeddah and Muscat flights remain scheduled.
- IndiGo suspended various Gulf and regional flights through March 28 due to DXB landing restrictions tied to security concerns.
- British Airways canceled London Heathrow services to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv through May 31; Doha returns late April; Abu Dhabi remains suspended indefinitely.
- Gulf Air halted all flights from Bahrain; connections are offered from Dammam with coordinated ground transport for confirmed customers.
- Lufthansa suspended flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Amman, and Erbil until March 28; to Tel Aviv until April 2; and to Tehran until April 30.
- Virgin Atlantic suspended London–Dubai for the rest of winter (to March 28) and paused Riyadh until March 25, aiming to repatriate stranded customers by early next week.
- KLM halted Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam flights through March 28; free rebooking and refunds are available. Repatriation is coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- SalamAir operates Fujairah–Muscat and onward connections; services to Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran are suspended until April 30. Kuwait, Sharjah, Doha, and Dammam are slated to resume March 31.
- At Kuwait International Airport, commercial services are halted; Kuwaiti passengers are being repatriated via Jeddah with onward travel to Kuwait by land.
- Air Canada canceled Dubai flights through March 28 and Tel Aviv through May 2; customers booked through March 15 for Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, or Erbil can change plans free for travel through March 31.
Expect technical stops, cancellations, schedule changes, and extended flight times. Many airlines offer flexible rebooking or refunds for eligible tickets and dates.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you have rights. Most passenger protection laws cover the following:
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.
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.
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
Not eligible for compensation
Flights affected
unknown
Passengers affected
unknown
Airlines affected
El Al Israel Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Oman Air, Air Arabia, Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo Air, British Airways, Gulf Air, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic Airways, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Air Canada
Airports affected
Dubai Airport
Start date
2026-02-28
Checked by
Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt
Date updated
18 March 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Collect proof that your flight was canceled, e.g. boarding pass, vouchers and any other travel documents.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the cancellation and reasons behind it.
Request an alternate flight to your destination - or a refund.
Make a note of the arrival time at your destination.
Ask the airline to pay for your meals and refreshments.
Don't sign anything or accept any offers that may waive your rights.
Get the airline to provide you with a hotel room, if needed.
Keep your receipts if your canceled flight ends up costing you extra money.
