Widespread Airline Suspensions Follow Military Strikes in Iran
Multiple international airlines have taken the drastic decision to suspend services across the Middle East following the launch of "major combat operations" in Iran by the United States and Israel. The military action has prompted retaliatory strikes across the region, directly impacting key travel hubs including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait—all locations hosting US military bases—as well as Israel itself.
Airspace Closures and Airport Shutdowns
The airspace across affected countries has become virtually empty as major Middle Eastern airports, such as Dubai International, Abu Dhabi International, and Hamad International in Doha, have been either completely shut down or placed under severe operational restrictions. This unprecedented situation has created significant travel chaos for thousands of passengers, including many British holidaymakers who frequently vacation in destinations like Dubai and are now facing extensive delays and cancellations to their scheduled plans.
UK Foreign Office Issues Critical Travel Warnings
The UK Foreign Office has issued stern travel advisories in response to the escalating regional tensions. British citizens have been explicitly told not to travel to Israel or Palestine. Furthermore, the Foreign Office is advising individuals already present in destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, and Kuwait to immediately seek shelter and remain indoors in secure locations.
In an official statement published on its website, the Foreign Office declared: "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 advisory was updated to instruct British citizens currently in the region to "avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities."
Comprehensive List of Airline Cancellations
The flight suspensions are extensive and affect carriers from across the globe:
- Aegean Airlines: Flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Erbil suspended until March 2.
- Air Astana: All Middle East flights cancelled until March 3.
- Air Canada: Flights to Israel cancelled until March 8; Dubai flights cancelled until March 3.
- Air Europa: Tel Aviv flights cancelled; monitoring situation for Tuesday operations.
- Air France KLM: Tel Aviv and Beirut flights cancelled for Saturday; KLM weekend flights to Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh cancelled.
- Azerbaijan Airlines: Flights to Dubai, Doha, Jeddah, and Tel Aviv suspended.
- British Airways: Flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain cancelled until March 3.
- Cathay Pacific: Dubai and Riyadh flights suspended.
- Emirates: All Dubai flights suspended until March 2.
- Etihad: Abu Dhabi flights suspended until 2pm local time Sunday.
- FlyDubai: All Dubai flights suspended until 3pm local time Sunday.
- ITA Airways: Tel Aviv flights and use of Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi, and Iranian airspace suspended until March 7.
- Lot Polish Airlines: Tel Aviv flights suspended until March 15; Dubai and Riyadh flights cancelled until March 2.
- Lufthansa: Flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Oman suspended until March 7; Dubai flights suspended Saturday and Sunday.
- Norwegian Air: All Dubai flights suspended until March 4.
- Pegasus Airlines: Flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon cancelled until March 2.
- Qatar Airways: Flights suspended due to Qatari airspace closure; update expected by 9am local time Monday.
- Turkish Airlines: Flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, and Oman cancelled Saturday; flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan cancelled until March 2.
- Wizz Air: Flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman halted immediately until March 7.
Knock-on Effects and Further Disruptions
The disruptions have created a ripple effect impacting airlines and routes beyond the immediate conflict zone:
- Air India: Cancelled flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar to London, New York, Chicago, Toronto, Frankfurt, and Paris on Sunday, with additional cancellations to European cities.
- IndiGo: Temporarily suspended all international flights using Middle Eastern airspace until Monday.
- Japan Airlines: Cancelled Saturday flight 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 avoid Iraqi airspace, resulting in pre-planned rerouting of certain flights.
Given the rapidly evolving situation, passengers with upcoming travel plans are strongly advised to contact their airline operators directly for the latest information and guidance. The scale of cancellations and airspace closures represents one of the most significant disruptions to global aviation in recent years, with no immediate resolution in sight as military tensions persist.
