Lufthansa Joins Iberia, Air India, PIA, Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and More in Suspending Flights Across Middle East Amid Rising Tensions and Security Concerns – Everything You Need to Know

Published on February 28, 2026

Image generated with Ai

Lufthansa, alongside Iberia, Air India, PIA, Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and other major carriers, has suspended flights to the Middle East due to escalating geopolitical tensions and heightened security risks in the region. The decision follows airspace closures and ongoing military operations, prioritizing passenger safety amid the instability.

Image generated with Ai

In light of the ongoing turmoil across the Middle East, a growing number of global airlines have announced the suspension of flights to several key destinations in the region. The volatile security situation, marked by escalating tensions, has led to widespread disruptions for travelers attempting to reach or transit through various countries in the Middle East.

Countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Israel have taken drastic measures, closing their airspaces to civilian aircraft to mitigate risks associated with ongoing military operations. These actions have severely impacted international flight schedules, with many airlines grounding flights or altering routes to ensure passenger safety.

Dubai International Airports Close Amid Heightened Security Concerns

Dubai Airports confirmed the suspension of all flight operations at both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) until further notice. The decision follows the worsening security situation in the region, with authorities advising travelers not to proceed to the airport during this uncertain time. The Dubai Media Office strongly recommended that passengers contact their airlines for real-time updates on flight statuses, as the situation remains fluid and subject to rapid changes.

The local government emphasized that further announcements would be made as authorities continue to monitor the situation. As of now, travelers are urged to avoid any unnecessary travel to or from Dubai unless they have received confirmation from their airline regarding operational flights.

Major Airlines Halt Middle East Operations

Several prominent international airlines have announced suspensions of flights to and from key Middle Eastern destinations, including Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai, and other regional cities, as the crisis unfolds.

• Lufthansa, the German airline, confirmed the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Oman until March 7. Additionally, flights to and from Dubai will remain suspended over the weekend. Lufthansa also announced that its aircraft will not enter Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi, or Iranian airspace until at least March 7 due to safety concerns.
• Air India and IndiGo, two major Indian carriers, stated that all flights to the Middle East have been temporarily suspended in response to the escalating tensions in the region. The airlines confirmed that their decisions were based on safety assessments and the uncertain political environment.
• Pakistan International Airlines followed suit, halting its flights to the Middle East on Saturday, further contributing to the air traffic disruption in the region.
• Air France also made the decision to cancel its flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut for Saturday, following the trend set by other European carriers.
• British Airways announced the cancellation of all flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until March 3, marking a significant interruption to its regular Middle Eastern route network.
• Norwegian Air, a Nordic carrier, suspended all flights to and from Dubai until March 4, reflecting the ongoing uncertainties in air travel to the UAE.
• Virgin Atlantic stated that it would temporarily reroute flights to avoid Iraqi airspace. The airline also canceled its London to Dubai service on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
• Iberia, the Spanish airline, also canceled flights to Tel Aviv, while Wizz Air suspended its services to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman, all of which will remain grounded until March 7.

Geopolitical Tensions Heighten Security Risks

The escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran, particularly following recent military operations involving the United States and Israeli forces, has raised widespread concerns about the safety of air travel in the region. Earlier today, Israel and the US launched a series of unprovoked strikes on Tehran, prompting retaliatory attacks from Iran targeting both Israeli and US military installations across the Middle East.

The military exchanges have reverberated throughout the region, with explosions reported in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, as well as in Kuwait, which houses US Army Central. Additionally, Qatar, home to the strategic Al Udeid Air Base, also felt the impact of the escalating tensions. In Jordan, two ballistic missiles were reportedly intercepted and destroyed as they targeted the kingdom’s territory, highlighting the increasing risks faced by countries in the region.

As the geopolitical situation continues to develop, travel advisories are expected to remain in place, and air travel disruptions may persist for the foreseeable future. Authorities in affected regions have urged travelers to stay informed and exercise caution while planning any trips to the Middle East.