The Iran-US conflict has triggered one of the most severe aviation disruptions since the pandemic, forcing airlines worldwide to cancel or reroute hundreds of flights through the Middle East and leaving hundreds of thousands of travellers stranded or diverted across one of the world's most critical aviation corridors.
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait airspaces are now shut. Major long-haul hubs within active conflict zones, such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha – key connectors between Europe and Asia – were directly hit by strikes, increasing operational strain.
What does this mean for travellers?
About 22.9% (966) of the 4,200 scheduled flights for 28 February were cancelled, according to aviation analytics company, Cirium. About 716 flights were cancelled for 1 March.
In a Facebook post on 2 March, General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates announced they are “intensifying efforts” to synchronise schedules and ensure continuity of operations for passengers.
Selected flights have been re-routed between UAE airports, even as airlines announce extended cancellation of flights.
GCAA said that 20,000 passengers affected by flight reschedules have received support on temporal accommodations and to rebook their trips.
In addition, Abu Dhabi authorities have instructed hotels to extend stays for guests stranded due to travel disruptions, and will cover all costs incurred.
Flight disruptions likely to continue
Qatar Airways operations remain suspended until the reopening of Qatari airspace and Emirates warned of disruptions through 5 March. while Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights to the Middle East indefinitely, as has Japan Airlines for its Tokyo-Doha leg.
British Airways will not fly to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until 4 March, Malaysia Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Doha, Jeddah, and Madinah until 4 March, while Singapore Airlines has cancelled all Dubai flights until 7 March.
Select carriers such as Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines have additionally advised travellers to seek refunds of the unused portions of their ticket, without the usual penalty charges.
Flight tracking site FlightAware reported more than 6,000 delayed flights, nearly 1,800 cancelled flights as of 2 March, 4pm SGT.
The Iranian airspace is expected to remain closed until 3 March, 8.30am. Further extensions are possible.