Hundreds of thousands of passengers remain stranded worldwide after US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered widespread flight cancellations across the Middle East. Major Gulf airports, including Dubai International, the world's busiest international hub, have been closed for a third consecutive day, causing the most severe aviation disruption since the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Monday morning, nearly 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. Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have suspended most operations until at least Tuesday morning, though limited special flights are expected to depart from the UAE on Monday evening.
The disruption has spread beyond the region, affecting flights to Europe, Asia, and North America. Air India cancelled services from Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar to major cities, while easyJet and British Airways cancelled flights to and from Cyprus after a drone struck the RAF base in Akrotiri. Virgin Atlantic has cancelled Dubai flights from London until Wednesday.
Travel and airline shares have fallen sharply, with Tui dropping 9% and IAG down 5%. Some carriers are offering refunds or free changes for affected passengers. Private jet charters from Riyadh to Europe are costing up to $350,000 (£260,000), as wealthy travellers seek alternative routes.
The prolonged closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar is unprecedented, analysts say. Crew and pilots are scattered globally, complicating the resumption of normal services. Donald Trump has indicated US military action could continue for another four weeks, raising fears of further disruption.
