Quick summary
US and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iran beginning at 1:15 a.m. EST on February 28, 2026, hitting over 500 military sites across Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Iran retaliated with approximately 35 missiles targeting Israel and strikes on 14 US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Multiple airlines have suspended flights across the Middle East, with civilian aviation incidents reported at Kuwait and UAE international airports as airspace closures expand.
Operations remain active with Iranian forces launching a second missile volley at Israel on Saturday. This article covers immediate flight cancellations, affected routes, airspace status, and rebooking options for travelers with Middle East itineraries.
Airlines across the Gulf region grounded flights to and from major hubs within hours of the strikes. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Flydubai suspended operations to affected airspace as military activity intensified. Travelers holding tickets to Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Doha (DOH), or Kuwait City (KWI) face immediate cancellations with no clear resumption timeline.
The strikes began at 9:45 a.m. Iran Standard Time using US missiles and drones alongside approximately 200 Israeli jets. Codenamed “Roaring Lion” by Israel and “Operation Epic Fury” by the US, the campaign targeted air defense systems, missile launchers, and military infrastructure. Iran’s response included ballistic missiles striking Israeli territory — killing one civilian — and attacks on US bases across six Gulf nations.
The Israeli Defense Forces declared a state of emergency Saturday as emergency sirens sounded across the country. Houthi forces resumed Red Sea attacks in coordination with Iranian retaliation, expanding the conflict zone beyond initial strike areas.
Which flights are canceled
Major carriers serving the Middle East suspended operations as airspace restrictions took effect. Emirates canceled all departures from Dubai International Airport through at least Sunday evening. Qatar Airways grounded flights to Tehran, Baghdad, and Beirut indefinitely. Etihad suspended Abu Dhabi departures to affected zones, while Flydubai halted regional services across the Gulf.
Civilian aviation incidents at Kuwait and UAE international airports occurred as military operations expanded. Airlines issued blanket waivers for ticket changes, though rebooking options remain limited as carriers await airspace clearance. Travelers with connections through Gulf hubs to Asia-Pacific destinations face cascading delays as aircraft repositioning stalls.
The strikes follow escalating tensions after Iran accelerated uranium enrichment and cracked down on protesters in January 2026. This marks the first joint US-Israel regime-change campaign with unprecedented coordination between the two militaries.
Airspace over Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Saudi Arabia remains restricted. European carriers including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways rerouted flights around affected zones, adding 90-120 minutes to Asia-bound services. US carriers suspended Tel Aviv operations until further notice.
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Why this affects Asia-Pacific travelers
Gulf hubs serve as primary connection points for North American, European, and Australasian travelers reaching Southeast Asia, India, and beyond. Dubai alone handles 88 million annual passengers, with 60% connecting to onward destinations. Suspended operations strand thousands mid-journey as alternative routing through European or Asian hubs adds $400-800 in rebooking costs and 12-24 hours of travel time.
Travelers booked on Emirates’ A380 services to Bangkok, Singapore, or Hong Kong cannot reroute on the same aircraft type. Capacity constraints force downgrades to economy or multi-day delays. Qatar Airways’ Doha hub similarly serves as the sole connection for many US-India routes — no direct alternatives exist for secondary Indian cities like Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram.
The conflict zone now extends beyond Iran’s borders. Strikes on US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia mean airspace closures affect the entire Gulf region, not just Iranian territory. Houthi resumption of Red Sea attacks adds maritime shipping delays for cargo, compounding supply chain disruptions that raise fuel costs and ticket prices.
What to do if you have a Middle East booking
- Check flight status immediately via FlightAware or your airline’s app — do not rely on email notifications as updates lag by 6-12 hours during mass cancellations.
- Contact your airline directly for rebooking waivers; most carriers waive change fees for tickets issued before February 28, but seat availability on alternative routes is limited.
- Reroute through Europe or Asia if your destination is beyond the Gulf — Frankfurt, Istanbul, Singapore, and Hong Kong offer the most capacity for last-minute changes.
- Monitor embassy alerts for your nationality via IATA Travel Centre or government travel advisory sites; airspace reopening depends on military operations ending, not airline schedules.
- Avoid new bookings to Gulf hubs until airspace restrictions lift — tickets purchased now carry high cancellation risk with no guaranteed refund if operations remain suspended.
Iran’s nuclear timeline and travel restrictions
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported on February 27 that Iran moved enriched uranium to an undamaged facility one day before the strikes. Iran remains under a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory from the US State Department, with no commercial flights operating between the US and Iran since 1980. Credit cards, debit cards, and ATMs do not function in Iran due to banking sanctions — travelers require physical cash in euros or US dollars for all transactions.
Questions? Answers.
Can I get a refund if my Gulf flight is canceled?
Airlines must refund canceled flights under US DOT rules if you booked with a US carrier or purchased the ticket in the US. Non-US carriers follow their own policies — most offer rebooking or vouchers instead of cash refunds. Request a refund in writing within 24 hours of cancellation notification.
Is it safe to fly through the Middle East right now?
Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Saudi Arabia remains closed to civilian traffic. Gulf airports in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait are operating under restricted conditions with military activity ongoing. Airlines will not resume flights until host governments confirm airspace safety — no timeline exists as of February 28.
What if I have a connecting flight through Dubai or Doha next week?
Do not assume operations will resume by your travel date. Contact your airline now to reroute through Europe or Asia. If you booked a single ticket with connections, the airline must rebook you at no cost. If you booked separate tickets, you are responsible for rebooking the second segment and may lose that fare.
Will travel insurance cover cancellations due to military strikes?
Standard travel insurance excludes war and military action unless you purchased a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy before the strikes began. CFAR policies refund 50-75% of prepaid costs if you cancel for any reason, including conflict. Policies purchased after February 28 will not cover this event.
How long do Middle East airspace closures typically last?
Previous closures during the 1991 Gulf War lasted 42 days. The 2003 Iraq invasion closed Iraqi airspace for 89 days. The current situation involves active military operations across six countries with no ceasefire negotiations underway. Airspace reopening depends on cessation of hostilities, not airline schedules or passenger demand.
