Quick summary
Asia-Pacific airlines have cancelled or diverted hundreds of flights through March 7, 2026 following US-Israel strikes on Iran that killed the country’s supreme leader on February 28. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, and Air India suspended services to Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Jeddah as Middle East airspace closures entered their third day. India alone cancelled 350 flights, while stranded passengers accumulated at Hong Kong, Sydney, and New Delhi airports.
Oil prices surged more than 8% and Asian airline shares dropped — Qantas fell 5.4%, Cathay Pacific 4.1% — signaling fuel surcharges ahead. Carriers are rerouting flights south through India or adding refueling stops in Rome, extending flight times and operational costs by an estimated 26.5% on affected routes.
The escalation began when US and Israeli forces struck Iranian targets on February 28, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering missile retaliation that forced the closure of major Middle East hubs.
By March 2, the disruption had spread across Asia-Pacific carriers. Singapore Airlines cancelled flights SQ494 and SQ495 to Dubai through March 7, while budget arm Scoot suspended TR596/TR597 to Jeddah. Malaysia Airlines diverted flight MH160 to Doha back to Kuala Lumpur mid-route and rerouted MH156 to Jeddah via Chennai, adding three hours to the journey.
Cathay Pacific took the broadest action, suspending all Middle East services including Dubai and Riyadh until further notice and waiving rebooking fees.
Air India suspended all Middle East flights, while Pakistan International Airlines halted services to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Malaysia Airlines extended suspensions to Doha, Jeddah, and Madinah through March 4.
How carriers are rerouting around closed airspace
Airlines are adding fuel stops or flying longer southern routes to avoid Iranian and adjacent airspace. Air India flights to New York and Newark now refuel in Rome, adding 90 minutes to the schedule. European carriers including Lufthansa and Wizz Air suspended Abu Dhabi and Dubai services entirely rather than attempt diversions.
The operational cost is substantial. Chinese carriers cancelled 26.5% of Middle East flights scheduled for March 2–8, according to VariFlight data reported by The Straits Times. Oil prices jumped more than 8% on March 2, driving airline share prices down across the region — Qantas dropped 5.4% and Cathay Pacific fell 4.1% as investors priced in higher fuel costs and reduced capacity.
| Airline | Routes suspended | Duration | Alternative routing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore–Dubai | Through March 7 | None announced |
| Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong–Dubai, Riyadh | Until further notice | Rebooking via Singapore |
| Malaysia Airlines | Kuala Lumpur–Doha, Jeddah, Madinah | Through March 4 | Chennai stopover (Jeddah) |
| Air India | All Middle East services | Ongoing | Rome refuel (US routes) |
| Pakistan International | UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar | Ongoing | Data pending |
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The geopolitical trigger and aviation fallout
The current disruption stems from a February 28 US-Israel military operation that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with missile strikes, forcing the closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq, and parts of the Gulf — a zone that handles thousands of daily flights connecting Asia to Europe and the Middle East.
This is the second major US-Israel-Iran escalation in nine months. In June 2025, Israel launched a 12-day war on Iran, with the US later bombing three Iranian nuclear sites. That conflict caused temporary airspace restrictions and flight diversions for carriers like Air India, but resolved within weeks through Oman-mediated talks. The current escalation is more severe — the death of Iran’s supreme leader has extended hub closures beyond 72 hours, with no diplomatic resolution timeline announced.
Dubai and Doha — two of the world’s busiest connecting hubs — remain closed as of March 2, stranding tens of thousands of passengers. The extended closure is unprecedented in recent aviation history. Even during the June 2025 conflict, Dubai International Airport remained operational with minor delays.
What to do if your flight is affected
Middle East hub closures are creating cascading delays and cancellations across Asia-Pacific networks — here is the priority order for protecting your trip.
- Check airline notifications immediately: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines are sending rebooking options via email and app push notifications. Most carriers are waiving change fees through March 10.
- Rebook through Singapore or Bangkok: Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways are adding capacity on Southeast Asia–Europe routes to absorb displaced passengers. Check availability on SQ and TG metal before accepting a multi-stop reroute.
- Avoid Rome stopovers if connecting: Air India‘s Rome refueling stop adds 90 minutes but creates tight connections. If your original itinerary had a connection window under 3 hours, request a direct alternative or overnight layover.
- File EU261 claims only after resolution: Geopolitical airspace closures qualify as extraordinary circumstances under EU and UK passenger rights law, exempting airlines from compensation. Wait until the situation stabilizes before filing — claims submitted now will be rejected.
- Monitor oil prices: The 8% oil price surge on March 2 signals fuel surcharges ahead. If you have a booking for April or later, consider paying in full now to lock in current fares before surcharges are added.
Questions? Answers.
Are airlines required to compensate passengers for these cancellations?
No. Geopolitical airspace closures qualify as extraordinary circumstances under EU261, UK261, and similar passenger rights frameworks. Airlines must offer rebooking or refunds but are not required to pay cash compensation. US DOT rules require refunds for cancellations but no compensation beyond the ticket price.
How long will the disruptions last?
Dubai and Doha hubs have been closed since February 28, with no confirmed reopening date as of March 2. If diplomatic efforts succeed, hubs could reopen by March 4–7. If the conflict escalates further, closures could extend through mid-March, forcing airlines to implement formal schedule reductions and fuel surcharges.
Which routes are most affected?
Asia–Europe routes via Middle East hubs (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) face the highest cancellation rates. India–Middle East routes are almost entirely suspended. Asia–North America routes have minimal direct impact, though some carriers are adding refueling stops. Intra-Asia routes are unaffected unless they connect through a Middle East hub.
Should I cancel my April trip to Asia?
Not yet. The disruption is concentrated on Middle East hub connections, not Asia-Pacific destinations. If your itinerary avoids Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, monitor airline notifications but do not cancel preemptively. If you are connecting through a Gulf hub, contact your airline now to explore alternative routing via Singapore, Bangkok, or Hong Kong.
