Dubai and Kuwait airports hit by drone strikes, over 1,300 flights canceled

Quick summary

Iranian drone strikes hit Dubai International Airport on February 28, 2026, damaging terminal structures and injuring workers. Kuwait International Airport also sustained direct hits. As of March 4, over 1,300 flights are canceled, with Etihad Airways suspending all Abu Dhabi operations until 2 p.m. UAE time, Qatar Airways halting Doha flights through at least March 4, and Lufthansa grounding all Dubai service until March 4. Large sections of Middle Eastern airspace remain closed. The US State Department is advising American citizens to exit the region immediately using available commercial options.

Airport reopenings and airspace restrictions are changing daily. This article covers confirmed cancellations, which airlines are still operating limited flights, and how to reroute bookings away from the Gulf.

What happened at the airports

Iranian drones struck Dubai International Airport terminal structures on February 28, injuring workers and damaging facilities. Kuwait International Airport also sustained direct hits to passenger terminal sections. These are not near-misses or airspace violations — they are confirmed strikes on civilian aviation infrastructure at two of the world’s busiest international hubs.

Large sections of Middle Eastern airspace remain blocked as of March 4. Neighboring countries to Iran are limiting all flights to and from the region. The US State Department confirmed that while some flights from US-aligned Persian Gulf nations have departed, the situation changes hourly.

This represents a fundamental shift in conflict-aviation risk. Previous Middle East conflicts triggered precautionary airspace closures. Now, commercial airports are viable military targets. Aviation risk calculations for the region have permanently changed.

Why this cripples Asia-Europe connectivity

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha are not regional airports — they are the primary connection points linking Europe and Africa with Asia. Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways collectively operate hundreds of daily flights funneling passengers between continents. When these hubs close, there is no equivalent alternative with the same route density and frequency.

European carriers like Lufthansa rely on Gulf hubs for Asia connectivity. African travelers use Dubai and Doha as primary gateways to Southeast Asia and Australia. The closure forces reroutes through Istanbul, Cairo, or Addis Ababa — airports with far fewer Asia connections and limited capacity to absorb displaced passengers.

For travelers holding tickets through these hubs, rebooking options are scarce. Airlines are offering one-way reroutes via European or African gateways, but seat availability is limited. Expect significant delays and potential multi-stop itineraries where direct Gulf connections previously existed.

What to do if you have a booking

• Contact your airline immediately — do not rely on automated rebooking systems. Call Etihad, Qatar Airways, Emirates, or Lufthansa directly for manual rerouting options. Many carriers are offering one-way reroutes via Istanbul, Cairo, or Addis Ababa to bypass the Gulf entirely.
• Monitor real-time flight status — use FlightAware or airline apps to track your specific flight. Airspace restrictions and airport reopenings are changing daily. Set alerts for your flight number and check government travel advisories (US State Department, UK Foreign Office, EU travel alerts) before rebooking.
• Avoid new bookings through Gulf hubs — until airspace reopens and airport safety is confirmed, route through alternative hubs. Istanbul, Singapore, and Hong Kong offer Asia-Europe connectivity without Middle East airspace exposure.
• Check travel insurance coverage — most policies exclude war and civil unrest, but some cover “unforeseen events” if you purchased before the conflict escalated. Contact your insurer to confirm cancellation and rebooking coverage.

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