Emirates Joins Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Air India, Lufthansa and Others in Grounding Flights to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, and More After US-Israel Strikes on Iran Lead to Unprecedented Airspace Closures and Chaos Across the Globe

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On February 28, 2026, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East dramatically shifted following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran. These attacks were aimed at Iranian military and strategic infrastructure and were met with immediate consequences for the region’s civilian and military aviation. In response to the escalating tensions and the potential threat to aviation safety, multiple Middle Eastern airspaces were closed.

The aviation impact was immediate and severe. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air India, and several other international carriers experienced significant disruptions in their flight schedules. The affected cities and destinations, such as Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Beirut, and others, serve as critical hubs for international travel, and the closure of their airspaces has led to widespread cancellations and delays.

With over 1,800 flights cancelled in the first 24 hours following the airstrikes, the consequences were far-reaching, affecting not only regional flights but also international connections from Europe, Asia, and beyond. Airlines, regulators, and passengers alike have been caught in the crossfire of this unfolding crisis, with thousands of travelers stranded in airports worldwide.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the aviation disruptions caused by the Middle East airspace shutdowns, focusing on the airlines and destinations most affected, the advisories issued, and the recovery outlook for affected routes and hubs.

What Led to the Aviation Shutdown?

On the evening of February 28, the United States and Israel initiated airstrikes targeting key Iranian military sites. These strikes were part of a larger ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. Following these military actions, Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes, further escalating the conflict and leading to increased security threats in the region.

In the wake of this escalation, multiple Middle Eastern countries including Iran, Iraq, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) closed their airspaces to civilian aircraft. The airspace closures were made in an effort to mitigate the risks posed to commercial flights by the ongoing military conflict.

This regional airspace shutdown was critical because the Middle East is a key hub in global aviation. It serves as a central connector between Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. With airspaces closed over critical cities such as Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, and Beirut, international airlines were forced to suspend flights, reroute, or cancel services altogether.

Major Airlines Affected by the Crisis

1. Emirates (Dubai International Airport)

Emirates, one of the largest and most influential airlines in the world, was forced to suspend all flights to and from Dubai International Airport (DXB). This halt was primarily due to the closure of UAE airspace and the heightened security risks in the region.

• Stranded Passengers: Thousands of passengers found themselves stranded in Dubai, with no clear timeline for when flights would resume.
• Long-Haul Flights Affected: Some long-haul flights, including a San Francisco-bound A380, were forced to turn around mid-flight after the airspace was closed.

Emirates is currently reviewing its operations, with the suspension expected to last until at least March 1. The airline’s operations were heavily impacted as Dubai is not only a hub for Emirates but also a central connection point for long-haul flights from Europe to Asia, Africa, and Australia.

2. Qatar Airways (Hamad International Airport)

Qatar Airways, another major Gulf carrier, experienced similar disruptions as Qatari airspace was completely closed following the escalation in Iran.

• Total Suspension of Flights: Qatar Airways suspended all flights to and from Doha (Hamad International Airport).
• Passenger Impact: Over 20,000 passengers were stranded at Doha, with the airline deploying additional ground staff to assist with rebooking and cancellations.

As of now, Qatar Airways is awaiting the reopening of Qatari airspace before it can resume normal operations. The airline has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation and follow safety advisories issued by aviation authorities.

3. Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi International Airport)

Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, suspended all outbound flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport after the drone strike near the airport was reported. This added another layer of complexity to the airline’s operations.

• Suspension: Etihad suspended flights until 2:00 PM on March 1, with the situation under review by UAE aviation regulators.
• Passenger Assistance: Thousands of passengers were left in limbo as the airline worked with authorities to assess security conditions and determine when flights could resume.

4. Turkish Airlines (Istanbul Airport)

Turkish Airlines, a major carrier for flights between Europe and the Middle East, had to cancel all flights to and from several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

• Regional Cancellations: Flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman were also suspended until at least March 2.

This disruption has affected European to Middle East and Asia flights that typically pass through Istanbul on their way to destinations across the region.

Impact on Low-Cost and Regional Carriers

Low-cost carriers that rely on regional connections, such as IndiGo, Air India, flydubai, and Wizz Air, were also significantly impacted.

5. IndiGo & Air India (India-Middle East Routes)

Both IndiGo and Air India, two of India’s largest carriers, had to cancel all flights to and from Dubai, Jeddah, Doha, Muscat, and other major cities in the Middle East.

• Cancellation Timeline: Both airlines have suspended their Middle East operations until March 2, citing security concerns and airspace restrictions as the primary reasons for the cancellations.

The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has advised Indian airlines to avoid the affected airspace until it is deemed safe for operations. Passengers have been advised to check with airlines for rebooking options.

6. flydubai (Dubai)

As a budget carrier operating largely within the Middle East and Asia, flydubai was heavily impacted by the closure of airspace over Iraq, Iran, and Israel.

• Mass Cancellations: The airline reported significant cancellations on its regional routes, especially those that passed through closed airspace corridors. The impact has been severe for Dubai-based travelers whose plans included destinations such as Amman, Doha, and Beirut.

7. Wizz Air, Pegasus, and AJet (European Low-Cost Carriers)

• Suspended Routes: Wizz Air, Pegasus, and AJet cancelled flights to cities such as Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until March 7 due to safety concerns arising from the airspace shutdowns.

International Long-Haul Carriers Respond to Airspace Closures

Major international carriers that operate through Middle Eastern airspaces also had to adjust their flight schedules.

8. Lufthansa (Frankfurt and Munich)

• Flight Cancellations: Lufthansa suspended all flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Oman until March 7.
• No Dubai Service: Lufthansa also cancelled its services to Dubai for the weekend.

9. British Airways (London Heathrow)

• Suspension of Routes: British Airways cancelled services to Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Amman.
• Delay for Resumption: The airline expects services to resume on March 3, contingent on airspace clearance.

10. Air France-KLM (Paris, Amsterdam)

• Suspended Services: Air France-KLM grounded flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut.
• Resumption Plans: The resumption of these flights is expected to depend on the ongoing security situation, with KLM taking the lead in adjusting its Israeli routes.

11. Virgin Atlantic (London)

• Suspended Dubai Service: Virgin Atlantic cancelled its London-Dubai flight and re-routed others to avoid Iraqi airspace.

Official Aviation Advisories: What Passengers Need to Know

As the situation continues to evolve, several official aviation safety advisories have been issued to help passengers navigate the disruptions.

• Check with Airlines: All passengers travelling through affected regions are advised to check with their respective airlines regularly for updates on flight status and cancellations.
• Rebooking and Refunds: Airlines are working with affected passengers to offer rebooking options or process refunds for cancellations.
• Airspace Clearance: Civil aviation authorities in affected regions have noted that airspace clearance will depend on security assessments. Passengers should be prepared for extended delays and the possibility of rebookings on alternate routes.

Conclusion: Navigating the Crisis and Planning Ahead

The US-Israel strikes on Iran have caused a massive disruption to air travel, particularly within the Middle East. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, and others have been forced to suspend flights, cancel routes, and re-route flights through affected regions. The cancellation of over 1,800 flights has left passengers stranded and caused chaos at multiple international hubs, including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Passengers are strongly advised to stay updated through official airline channels and government aviation advisories to make informed decisions regarding their travel plans. Given the volatile situation, the airspace disruptions may persist for several days or even weeks. It is crucial to remain flexible and monitor the latest updates to avoid further inconvenience.

As this geopolitical crisis unfolds, it remains uncertain when normal flight operations will fully resume across the region. Passengers with upcoming flights through the Middle East should prepare for further delays, cancellations, or alternate routing.