Hundreds of thousands of passengers remain stranded as global air travel faces its worst disruption since the Covid pandemic, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Key air hubs in the Middle East remain closed, with thousands of flights cancelled or delayed.
As of Monday, almost 1,700 flights to the Middle East had been cancelled, according to analysts Cirium, though the figure is likely an underestimate due to limited data from Iran and the UAE. Major Gulf carriers, including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, have suspended normal operations until at least Tuesday morning, with some special services departing from the UAE on Monday evening.
The disruption has spread globally, affecting flights from Bali to Frankfurt. Air India cancelled services from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to major European and North American cities. British Airways cancelled Monday's Larnaca service, while easyJet cancelled return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK after a drone hit the RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus.
Airline and travel shares fell sharply, with Tui dropping 9% and British Airways owner IAG down 5%. Some carriers are offering refunds or free changes for those due to travel in the coming weeks. Virgin Atlantic has cancelled Dubai flights from London until Wednesday, while British Airways has allowed passengers due to fly to the Gulf, Israel or Jordan until 15 March to delay travel free of charge.
Analysts noted that a prolonged closure of skies for over 24 hours, shutting all three major Gulf transit hubs, is unprecedented. Private jet charters from Riyadh to Europe are costing up to $350,000 (£260,000), with Saudi Arabia seen as the only viable exit route for the wealthy.
