Hundreds Of Passengers Abandoned In Kuwait Today As Emirates, Saudia, IndiGo, Flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Gulf Air, And Other Airlines Cancel 80 Flights and Delay 17, Disrupting Cairo, Bahrain, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, London, New York And More

Published on March 1, 2026

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Hundreds of travellers stranded in Kuwait today as 80 flight cancellations and 17 delays hit Kuwait International Airport, as a drone strike at Terminal 1 left several workers with minor injuries amid escalating regional tensions, confirmed by Kuwaiti officials amid escalating US–Iran tensions.
Among the airlines most affected were Kuwait Airways Corporation (10 cancellations, 11 delays), Emirates (10 cancellations), Saudia (10 cancellations), IndiGo (8 cancellations), Flydubai (8 cancellations) and Gulf Air (7 cancellations, 1 delay). Other popular carriers facing disruption included Etihad Airways (3 cancellations, 1 delay), Royal Jordanian (3 cancellations, 1 delay), and Air Arabia (2 delays).
Airports heavily impacted included Kuwait International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Cairo International Airport, Bahrain International Airport, and King Abdulaziz International Airport. Disruptions also extended to key hubs including Abu Dhabi International Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport, affecting travelers across Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, India, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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• Updated today: 80 cancellations and 17 delays were recorded.
• Several workers sustained minor injuries following the drone strike.
• Kuwait Airways reported the highest combined impact with 10 cancellations and 11 delays.
• Emirates, Saudia, IndiGo and Flydubai each saw full cancellation rates on affected services.
• Dubai, Cairo and Bahrain routes were among the most disrupted corridors.

Airlines Most Affected by Flight Cancellations and Delays

Kuwait Airways Corporation

10 cancellations and 11 delays, marking the highest combined operational impact.

Emirates

10 cancellations, representing a full cancellation rate on impacted flights.

Saudia

10 cancellations with no reported delays.

IndiGo

8 cancellations affecting India–Kuwait traffic.

Flydubai

8 cancellations disrupting Dubai–Kuwait connectivity.

Gulf Air

7 cancellations and 1 delay, impacting Bahrain-bound services.

EgyptAir

6 cancellations affecting Cairo routes.

Etihad Airways

3 cancellations and 1 delay on Abu Dhabi services.

What Can Affected Passengers Do?

• Check airline websites or mobile apps for real-time status updates. Flight schedules may change multiple times within hours during operational disruptions, so refresh frequently and enable push notifications if available to avoid unnecessary airport visits.
• Contact the airline directly for rebooking or refund options. Use official customer service channels, airport counters, or verified social media accounts to request alternate flights, travel credits, hotel assistance, or refunds depending on fare rules.
• Monitor official airport announcements before heading to the airport. Confirm whether your flight is operating, delayed, or cancelled to prevent extended waiting times inside crowded terminals.
• Keep travel insurance details accessible for potential claims. Review your policy coverage for trip interruption, accommodation, meals, or missed connections, and document any additional expenses with receipts.
• Retain boarding passes and booking confirmations for documentation. These documents may be required for compensation requests, insurance claims, or formal complaints with airlines or regulators.
• Allow additional travel time for rescheduled departures. Security queues, check-in counters, and baggage handling may face congestion following large-scale cancellations, so plan for longer processing times.

Overview of Flight Disruptions

The disruption centered on Kuwait City but quickly impacted regional aviation networks linking Dubai, Cairo, Bahrain and Jeddah. Major airlines including Kuwait Airways, Emirates, Saudia, IndiGo, Flydubai, Gulf Air and EgyptAir experienced widespread cancellations, with several carriers recording complete suspension of affected flights.

Key cities across Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain saw repeated operational interruptions, particularly on heavily trafficked Gulf corridors. Dubai and Cairo routes were among the hardest hit multiple times, while Bahrain services also experienced repeated cancellations. Additional ripple effects extended to Abu Dhabi, London, Bangkok and New York, underscoring the broader international exposure of the disruption.

The drone strike on Terminal 1 has intensified aviation instability in the region, placing Kuwait International Airport at the center of one of the most significant single-day operational breakdowns recorded.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware