Quick summary
Nearly 25,000 flights across the Middle East have been cancelled since war broke out on February 28, 2026, stranding tens of thousands of passengers at Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and other Gulf hubs. The UAE resumed limited Dubai flights on March 5, while Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport began assigning recovery flights inbound only. US carriers extended waivers through March 31 for rebooking or cancellations on routes touching Dubai, Doha, Tel Aviv, and Beirut.
Airspace remains partially closed, and outbound flights from Israel are still suspended. This article covers which airlines are operating, how to rebook or claim waivers, and what to do if you’re stranded or have upcoming travel through the region.
War erupted across the Middle East on Saturday, February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on more than 1,000 Iranian targets, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel, US military bases, and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Within 72 hours, 21,300 flights were cancelled at seven major airports, according to Flightradar24.
Dubai International Airport — the world’s busiest international hub — saw the highest disruption. Roughly 20,200 passengers were stranded in the UAE alone through March 3. Doha, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Al Maktoum airports also shut down most operations.
If you hold a ticket to or from the Middle East through March 31, you need to act within 24 to 48 hours. Airlines are issuing waivers, but seats on alternative routes are filling fast. Governments are arranging repatriation flights for citizens stuck abroad.
Which airlines are operating and which remain grounded
The UAE announced on Thursday, March 5, that it would resume limited flights to and from Dubai. Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia have not yet published full schedules, but check-in portals show select departures for March 6 and beyond.
Israel’s El Al began assigning passengers currently abroad to recovery flights back to Tel Aviv. Outbound flights from Ben-Gurion Airport remain suspended as of Thursday. The airline has not confirmed when departures will resume.
Air France cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai, and Riyadh through March 5. IndiGo is operating four return repatriation flights to Jeddah for Indian nationals. Air India suspended service to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until March 2, cancelling 125 international flights and rerouting Europe-bound passengers via Rome.
US carriers issued the following actions: American Airlines suspended Philadelphia-Doha and delayed New York JFK-Tel Aviv indefinitely. Delta dropped JFK-Tel Aviv through March 8 and extended waivers to March 31. United cancelled all US-Tel Aviv flights through March 6 and issued waivers through March 31 covering Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, and Erbil.
For real-time updates, use Flightradar24 or airline apps to track cancellations and reinstatements. Etihad, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and El Al post daily bulletins on their homepages.
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Why this shutdown matters beyond the Middle East
This is the largest aviation shutdown since COVID-19. Gulf hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi connect Europe to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Closing them forces airlines to reroute via longer, costlier corridors through Turkey, Central Asia, or North Africa.
Cargo networks are equally disrupted. Dubai handles 2.7 million tonnes of air freight annually, much of it perishable goods and electronics moving between Asia and Europe. Delays ripple into supply chains for pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, and consumer electronics.
Tourism revenue across the Gulf is collapsing. The UAE alone welcomed 17 million visitors in 2025. Hotels, tour operators, and retail districts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are reporting mass cancellations through mid-March.
What to do if you’re stranded or have upcoming travel
- Check airline waivers immediately. Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Delta, United, and American have issued free rebooking or cancellation policies through March 31. Log into your booking portal or call the airline’s emergency hotline.
- Avoid Gulf routes for Europe-Asia travel. Rebook via Lufthansa (Frankfurt hub), Virgin Atlantic (London), or Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) if your original itinerary touched Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi. Air Traveler Club’s flight search flags alternative routings in real time.
- Contact your embassy or consulate. India arranged repatriation flights to Jeddah within 48 hours. US, UK, Australian, and Canadian embassies in the Gulf are coordinating evacuations for citizens unable to rebook commercially.
- Monitor airspace reopenings daily. Use Flightradar24 or Cirium to track which airports resume operations. The UAE’s March 5 announcement suggests gradual normalization, but military activity could trigger fresh closures.
The last time Gulf airspace closed this long
In April 2020, COVID-19 lockdowns shut Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi for 11 weeks. The current closure has lasted six days and counting. If it extends beyond two weeks, airlines will begin cancelling summer schedules, stranding millions of passengers booked for peak travel months.
Questions? Answers.
Can I get a refund if my flight was cancelled due to the war?
Yes. US Department of Transportation rules and EU Regulation 261/2004 require airlines to offer full refunds for flights cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances, including war. Contact your airline within seven days to request a refund instead of rebooking.
Are flights over Iran and Iraq still operating?
No. Iranian and Iraqi airspace remains closed to civilian traffic as of March 5. Airlines flying Europe-Asia routes are rerouting north through Kazakhstan or south through Oman and the Arabian Sea, adding 90 to 120 minutes to flight times.
What happens if I’m stuck in Dubai with an expired visa?
The UAE announced automatic 14-day visa extensions for travelers stranded by flight cancellations. Visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs office at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 with your passport and cancelled flight confirmation to receive a stamped extension.
Will travel insurance cover rebooking costs?
Only if you purchased a policy with “cancel for any reason” coverage before the war started on February 28. Standard policies exclude war and civil unrest. Check your policy’s force majeure clause and contact your insurer within 48 hours to file a claim.
