Quick summary
Over 700 flights to and from the Middle East were cancelled on March 2, 2026, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began February 28 and Iranian missile retaliation on February 29 that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Emirates suspended all Dubai operations until 15:00 UAE time March 2, Qatar Airways until 09:00 March 2, Etihad until 14:00 UAE time, Air India until 23:59 IST March 2, and Lufthansa Group until March 8 for multiple destinations. Over 2,000 flights were cancelled on March 1 alone — 50% of scheduled operations to the region.
Travelers with bookings through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, or India-Middle East routes face immediate disruption. This article covers which airlines remain grounded, how to rebook or claim refunds, and alternative routing options as operations resume in phases through early March.
The escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has grounded hundreds of flights across the Middle East today, stranding travelers with bookings to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and connecting routes through the region. Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Air India, and IndiGo have suspended operations until at least March 2 local times, with some European carriers extending cancellations through March 8.
Iranian missiles struck the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait on February 29 in response to US-Israeli strikes that began February 28. Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the attacks. The conflict has forced airlines to suspend flights, close airspace, and divert aircraft mid-route.
If you have a booking departing in the next 48 hours through any Middle East hub or on affected carriers, check your flight status immediately. Airlines are issuing waivers, but rebooking windows close fast as alternative capacity fills.
Which airlines and routes are affected
Emirates suspended all operations to and from Dubai until 15:00 UAE time March 2. Qatar Airways will provide an update at 09:00 March 2. Etihad halted Abu Dhabi flights until 14:00 UAE time March 2. These three carriers operate the busiest Asia-Europe connecting hubs in the region, handling over 1,200 daily flights under normal conditions.
Air India suspended all flights to the UAE, Qatar, Israel, and Saudi Arabia until 23:59 IST March 2. IndiGo cancelled all flights using West Asia airspace through the same deadline. Both Indian carriers are rerouting Europe and North America services via oceanic paths over Oman and Egypt, adding 45-90 minutes to flight times.
Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines) extended suspensions to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, Dammam, and Tehran until March 8. Air France and KLM cancelled Dubai, Riyadh, and other Gulf routes through March 3-6 depending on destination.
At least 42 Philippine flights were cancelled and 3 diverted as of 09:00 UTC March 2, according to the Philippine Civil Aviation Authority. The disruption affects Manila-Dubai, Manila-Doha, and connecting flights to Europe via Middle East hubs.
Why this disruption hits harder than Ukraine airspace closures
The Middle East handles 15% of global long-haul connecting traffic, compared to 8% for Russian airspace before the Ukraine war. Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi sit at the geographic center of Asia-Europe routes, making diversions costlier in fuel and time. Pakistan’s closure of airspace to Indian carriers since 2019 compounds the problem — Air India now flies oceanic routes that burn 12-18% more fuel per sector.
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How the cancellations unfolded
Cirium data shows over 2,000 flights to the Middle East were cancelled on March 1 — 50% of scheduled operations. The prior day saw 24% cancellations as airlines began suspending routes in response to the initial US-Israeli strikes. March 2 cancellations range from 700 to 1,800 flights depending on how quickly airlines resume operations after announced deadlines.
The conflict began with coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets on February 28. Iran responded with missile attacks on US and allied bases in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait on February 29. The strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, confirmed by Iranian state media, marking the first death of an Iranian supreme leader in combat since the 1979 revolution.
Airlines suspended flights as airspace closures expanded across the Gulf. Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways — which operate 24/7 hub schedules — grounded all departures within hours. European and Asian carriers followed with suspensions ranging from 48 hours to 10 days depending on route exposure and insurance coverage for conflict zones.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
- Check flight status now on airline apps (Emirates.com, AirIndia.in, QatarAirways.com) or FlightAware.com. Airlines update status every 2-4 hours as airspace reopens in phases.
- Request a full refund or free rebooking via Manage Booking portals or 24/7 hotlines. EU261 and US DOT rules require refunds for cancellations, regardless of ticket type. Do not accept vouchers unless you plan to rebook within 12 months.
- Rebook on alternative routes if your travel is urgent. Air India confirmed Europe and North America flights via oceanic paths over Oman and Egypt are operating, though flight times increase by 45-90 minutes. Check Air Traveler Club’s flight search for available routings via Singapore, Bangkok, or Istanbul hubs.
- Monitor airline updates every 6 hours through March 3. Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad plan phased resumptions starting March 2 afternoon UAE time, but further strikes could extend suspensions. Set alerts on Flightradar24 or airline apps.
Questions? Answers.
Can I claim compensation for a cancelled Middle East flight?
EU261 requires refunds for cancellations but not compensation if the cause is “extraordinary circumstances” like military conflict. US DOT rules mandate refunds for any cancellation, regardless of cause. Request your refund in writing within 7 days to avoid voucher-only offers.
Which Asia-Europe routes avoid the Middle East entirely?
Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Cathay Pacific operate Asia-Europe routes via Southeast Asia hubs with no Middle East airspace exposure. Turkish Airlines routes via Istanbul also avoid the conflict zone. Expect 10-15% higher fares as demand shifts to these carriers.
How long will Middle East flight disruptions last?
Airlines have announced resumptions between March 2 and March 8, but this assumes no further escalation. The 1991 Gulf War grounded regional flights for 6 weeks. The 2020 US-Iran standoff caused 72-hour suspensions. Monitor government travel advisories and airline updates daily.
Should I cancel my Dubai trip planned for next week?
Wait until March 3 before cancelling. If airlines resume operations on March 2 as scheduled and no new strikes occur within 24 hours, your flight will likely operate. If suspensions extend past March 3 or your government issues a Level 4 advisory, cancel and request a full refund.
