Quick summary
Hundreds of thousands of travelers remain stranded as Middle East airspace closures enter a fourth day on March 3, 2026, with most flights to and from UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, and Syria canceled through at least March 6. Qatar Airways has suspended all operations at Hamad International Airport, Oman Air canceled flights to nine destinations, and KLM suspended Tel Aviv flights for the remainder of winter, while limited Etihad and Emirates flights resumed sporadically from UAE on March 2-3.
The closures block the vital Gulf corridor used by 30%+ of Europe-Asia flights, with no de-escalation in sight following US-Israel strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian missile responses. This article covers which airlines are operating, what travelers must do in the next 24 hours, and how the conflict is reshaping Asia-Europe routing.
The Middle East conflict that erupted February 28 has closed key flight information regions across Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Damascus, stranding passengers worldwide as airlines cancel thousands of flights. Qatar Airways suspended all operations at Hamad International Airport until Qatari airspace reopens, with the next update scheduled for March 4 at 9am local time. Oman Air canceled flights to nine destinations including Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab through March 6.
Travelers holding bookings to or from the affected region must check airline apps or contact carriers within 24 hours. Airlines are offering rebooking or refunds, but availability is limited as the crisis enters its fourth day with no resolution.
The closures affect US, Canadian, European, and Australasian travelers connecting through Gulf hubs or flying direct to the region. Air Arabia suspended UAE flights until 3pm local March 4 and services to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq until March 5, with possible limited operations subject to approval. KLM suspended Tel Aviv flights for the remainder of the winter season and Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh flights until March 5, avoiding Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Gulf airspace entirely.
Which airlines are flying and which remain grounded
Etihad and Emirates operated limited flights from UAE on March 2-3, including an Etihad service from Abu Dhabi to London. However, the central Gulf corridor remains fully closed with no through-routing possible. Most flights remain canceled as airlines await airspace reopenings.
Qatar Airways has suspended all operations at Hamad International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs for Asia-Europe connections. The airline will provide an update on March 4 at 9am Doha time. Passengers with Qatar bookings should monitor the airline’s app or website for rebooking options.
Oman Air canceled flights to Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab through March 6. Air Arabia suspended UAE flights until 3pm local March 4 and services to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq until March 5, with limited operations possible subject to regulatory approval.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended CZIB 2026-03 to March 6, advising against all operations in Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman, and Saudi airspace due to missile risks. Airlines are rerouting Europe-Asia flights around the closed corridor, adding 2-4 hours to flight times and burning extra fuel, which may trigger fare increases in coming weeks.
The conflict escalated February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian missile responses. Key flight information regions including Tehran, Baghdad, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Damascus remain closed, blocking the vital Gulf corridor used by 30%+ of Europe-Asia flights. No de-escalation signs have emerged as of March 3.
Flight deals
most people never see
Our AI monitors 150+ airlines for pricing anomalies that traditional search engines miss. Air Traveler Club members save $650 per trip per person on average: see how it works.
Each deal saves 40–80% vs. regular fares:
How the closures are reshaping Asia-Europe routing
The Gulf corridor closure forces airlines to reroute Europe-Asia flights around the conflict zone, adding significant time and cost. Airlines that previously relied on Gulf hubs for connections now face impossible routing, while carriers avoiding the region entirely must fly longer paths over Turkey, Central Asia, or even Russia for those still permitted.
This mirrors the Russia airspace closures that reshaped Asia flights in 2022, though the Gulf closure affects a different set of routes. European carriers like KLM are avoiding the entire region, while Gulf carriers like Emirates and Etihad are operating sporadically when local airspace permits brief windows.
The disruption hits hardest for travelers connecting through Doha, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi to reach Asia-Pacific destinations. With Qatar Airways suspended and Emirates operating limited flights, alternative routing through Istanbul, Singapore, or Bangkok may be the only option for travelers needing to reach Asia in the next week.
The Gulf corridor’s role in global aviation
The airspace over Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf states handles over 1,000 daily flights connecting Europe to Asia, Africa, and Australasia. Qatar Airways alone operates 170+ destinations from Doha, while Emirates and Etihad serve 300+ combined routes from UAE hubs. The closure represents the largest airspace disruption since the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcanic ash cloud grounded European flights for six days.
What to do if you have a booking
- Check your airline’s app or website immediately for flight status — most carriers update every 6-12 hours as airspace windows open or close.
- Use the “Manage Booking” function to rebook if your flight is canceled; airlines are waiving change fees but seat availability is limited as thousands compete for alternative flights.
- Request a refund if your flight is suspended beyond 5 days — EU261 and US DOT rules require full refunds for cancellations exceeding this threshold.
- Track specific flight numbers on FlightAware or Flightradar24 to see real-time routing and departure status, especially for limited operations like Etihad and Emirates.
- Contact your embassy (US State Department at travel.gov, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT) if stranded at a closed airport for repatriation options or emergency travel documents.
Questions? Answers.
Can I still fly to Asia via Gulf hubs this week?
No reliable routing exists through Gulf hubs as of March 3. Qatar Airways is fully suspended, while Emirates and Etihad operate sporadically with no guaranteed schedule. Rebook via Istanbul, Singapore, or Bangkok if you need to reach Asia before March 6.
Will airlines compensate for hotel costs if I’m stranded?
EU261 requires EU carriers to provide accommodation and meals for delays exceeding certain thresholds, but force majeure (military conflict) may exempt airlines. US carriers follow DOT rules requiring refunds for cancellations but not hotel costs. Check your airline’s policy and consider travel insurance claims.
How long will the airspace closures last?
EASA extended the closure advisory to March 6, but no de-escalation signs have emerged as of March 3. Airlines are planning for closures through at least mid-March, with some suspending routes for the remainder of winter season. Monitor airline updates daily.
Are flights over Russia affected by the Middle East conflict?
No direct connection, but airlines avoiding both Russia and the Gulf corridor face severely limited routing options for Europe-Asia flights. This double closure forces carriers onto longer southern routes via India or northern routes via Central Asia, adding 3-6 hours to flight times.
