Iran Crisis Sparks Global Flight Cancellations to Middle East, Stranding Thousands
The escalating conflict in Iran has caused massive disruption to global air travel, forcing the closure of key Middle Eastern hubs and leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. Airlines worldwide are suspending services to the region due to airspace instability and safety concerns.
British Airways Halts Rescue Flights Amid Reduced Demand
British Airways has announced it will stop running rescue flights from the Middle East because of "reduced demand" and has extended its suspension of operations across the wider region. The airline had been operating daily flights from Muscat in Oman to London Heathrow since March 5 to assist tourists stranded in neighbouring countries, but these services will "pause" after Thursday's departure.
A spokesperson stated: "Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and air space instability, we've had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region." BA has cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv until later this month, and to Abu Dhabi until later this year.
Major Airlines Suspend Services Across the Region
The crisis has prompted a wave of cancellations from carriers globally. Below is an overview of key airline suspensions:
- Aegean Airlines: Cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until March 20, and to Beirut, Erbil, and Baghdad until March 25. Services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi are suspended until March 19, and to Riyadh until March 14.
- Air Canada: All flights to Tel Aviv are cancelled until May 2, and to Dubai until March 28.
- Air France: Flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut are cancelled through March 13, and to Dubai and Riyadh until March 12.
- Cathay Pacific: All flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh are suspended until March 31.
- Delta: Cancelled flights from New York to Tel Aviv until March 22, and from Tel Aviv to New York until March 23.
- Finnair: Doha and Dubai flights are cancelled until March 29, with the airline avoiding the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel.
- Lufthansa Group: Suspended flights to Tel Aviv through April 2, to Beirut through March 28, to Tehran through April 30, and to Amman, Erbil, Dammam, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi until March 15.
- Qatar Airways: Operating a limited flight schedule to and from Doha, with some flights planned from March 9 following temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.
Regional Carriers Adjust Operations
Middle Eastern airlines are also grappling with the disruptions. Emirates is operating a reduced schedule but anticipates a swift return to normality, stating on social media: "The airline anticipates a return to 100 per cent of its network within the coming days, subject to airspace availability." Etihad Airways has resumed a limited commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and key destinations.
Turkish Airlines has removed Iran flights from its programme until March 12, with all flights to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan cancelled through March 13. Saudia Airlines has suspended flights to Amman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain until March 10.
Low-Cost Airlines Extend Suspensions
Budget carriers are facing prolonged disruptions. Wizz Air has suspended flights to Israel until March 29 and to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Jeddah from mainland European destinations until mid-September. Norwegian Air has postponed flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut from April to June 15.
The crisis has left passengers stranded at airports worldwide, with images from locations like Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport showing crowds waiting amid the chaos. The situation remains fluid, with airlines keeping operations "under constant review" and offering customers alternative options as the conflict in Iran continues to destabilise regional air travel.
