Major Middle Eastern airports including Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been shut or severely restricted following US-Israel military operations in Iran
British Airways has cancelled flights(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Airlines worldwide have continued scrapping flights throughout the Middle East following the US and Israel’s launch of “major combat operations” across Iran. The action triggered counter-strikes throughout the Middle East – targeting Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait, all hosting US bases, alongside Israel.
Airspace throughout these nations has remained almost deserted. Key Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have been closed or heavily restricted as a consequence.
Numerous Britons regularly holiday in destinations such as Dubai and have experienced disruption to their arranged travel. The UK Foreign Office has instructed Brits against travelling to Israel or Palestine, and is recommending those currently in locations including Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait to find shelter, reports the Mirror.
In a statement published on its website the Foreign Office stated: “Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran, Israeli airspace has now closed.”
The Foreign Office has additionally revised its guidance for British nationals presently in destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait. It stated: “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”
The circumstances are rapidly evolving, so anyone scheduled to fly in forthcoming days should additionally seek guidance from their airline operator.
Cancelled flights to the Middle East
Aegean Airlines – Greece’s largest carrier has halted flights to Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon and Erbil in Iraq until March 2.
Air Astana – All flights to the Middle East have been grounded until March 3.
Air Canada – All flights from Canada to Israel have been grounded until March 8. All flights to Dubai have been grounded until March 3.
Air Europa – The Spanish carrier has grounded flights to Tel Aviv and is monitoring the situation to assess operations on Tuesday.
Air France KLM – All flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut were grounded for Saturday. Dutch KLM weekend flights to and from Dubai, Dammam and Riyadh have been grounded.
Azerbaijan Airlines – All flights to and from Dubai, Doha, Jeddah and Tel Aviv halted.
British Airways – Flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain grounded until March 3.
Cathay Pacific – Flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh halted.
Emirates – All flights to and from Dubai halted until March 2.
Etihad – Flights from Abu Dhabi halted until 2pm local time on Sunday.
FlyDubai – All flights to and from Dubai halted until 3pm local time on Sunday.
ITA Airways – Flights to and from Tel Aviv and not using airspace of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iran until March 7.
Lot Polish Airlines – Flights to Tel Aviv suspended until March 15. Flights to Dubai and Riyadh cancelled until March 2.
Lufthansa – Flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon and Oman suspended until March 7. Flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday suspended.
Norwegian Air – All flights to and from Dubai suspended until March 4.
Pegasus Airlines – Flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon were cancelled up to and including March 2.
Qatar Airways – Flights suspended due to closure of Quatari airspace. Update coming by 9am local time on Monday.
Turkish Airlines – Flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman cancelled on Saturday. Flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan cancelled until March 2.
Wizz Air – Flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman halted with immediate effect until March 7.
Knock-on effect
Air India – Flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to London, New York, Chicago, Toronto, Frankfurt and Paris on Sunday have been cancelled. More flights to London, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Zurich, Milan, Vienna, Copenhagen and Frankfurt had been cancelled.
IndiGo – Temporary suspension of international flights using Middle Eastern airspace until Monday.
Japan Airlines – Cancelled flight on Saturday from Tokyo Haneda to Doha and return flight on March 1.
Lufthansa – Will not fly through Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7. Virgin Atlantic – Will steer clear of Iraqi airspace, leading to some pre-arranged rerouting of services.
