The escalating conflict in Iran, sparked by a US-Israeli offensive on 28 February, is causing widespread travel disruption across the Middle East. The operation, which killed Iran's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has expanded to affect a dozen countries, including drone attacks on a UK RAF base in Cyprus. Airports and civilian areas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha have been hit, with Dubai Airport closed for three days, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Travel advisories have been heightened globally. The US State Department has urged American nationals to depart from 14 Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt. The UK government has begun evacuating British nationals from Oman and will start flights from the UAE on 4 March. The US is sending charter flights to evacuate Americans from the UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
Iran's airspace remains closed, and all civilian travel to and from the country is suspended. Overland border crossings into Turkey and Armenia are open for those leaving. In the UAE, airports are slowly resuming operations, with Etihad and Emirates restarting flights. The UAE government is covering food and accommodation for stranded travellers.
Qatar's Doha Hamad International Airport remains closed due to airspace restrictions, with shelter-in-place advisories for US citizens. Many travellers are driving from the UAE to Oman, where flights continue and risks are slightly lower. Dr John Rose, Chief Risk Advisor at ALTOUR, notes that the situation is fluid and travellers should assess their own risk profiles.
As the conflict continues, with US President Trump expecting strikes for several weeks, travellers are advised to monitor official advisories and register with their embassies for updates. The safety of airports and civilian areas remains a key concern, with no airport expected to reopen under realistic threat.
