Middle East Flights Halted After Iran Strikes

Published: 01 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Airlines across Europe, Asia and the Gulf have suspended, diverted or delayed dozens of flights after Iran launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, triggering widespread airspace closures and travel disruption. The escalation follows coordinated military action by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian sites, marking one of the most serious regional flare-ups in recent years.

Major carriers including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic confirmed cancellations and route suspensions as governments scrambled to assess security risks. All flights in and out of Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport were temporarily suspended, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and causing knock-on disruption across global long-haul networks.

The airspace closures have stretched well beyond Iran and Israel. Authorities confirmed that airspace over Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria and the United Arab Emirates remained closed into Sunday morning, while Saudi Arabia announced partial restrictions. Though Jordanian and Lebanese airspace remained technically open, flight activity was significantly reduced.

The ripple effect has been felt far beyond the region. Heathrow Airport urged travellers to check with airlines before travelling to the airport, warning that services linking Europe to Asia and Australia were being rerouted or cancelled at short notice. Tracking data showed aircraft diverting north over Saudi Arabia or rerouting via the Caucasus corridor to avoid restricted zones.

Iran’s retaliatory attacks reportedly targeted multiple Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Explosions were reported in Doha, and Qatar’s defence ministry stated that its air defences had intercepted incoming missiles. In Bahrain, footage circulated appearing to show a strike near a US-linked facility. The UAE also said it had intercepted missiles and drones launched from Iran.

At Dubai International, four airport staff members were injured in an incident on Saturday, according to an airport spokesperson. While details remain limited, airport authorities confirmed that emergency protocols were activated swiftly.

Emirates suspended all operations in and out of Dubai until mid-afternoon local time on Sunday due to the closure of surrounding airspace. The carrier said it was closely monitoring developments and would resume services once safety could be assured.

British Airways cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday and warned that routes connecting Heathrow with Abu Dhabi, Amman, Doha and Dubai could face disruption for several days. Virgin Atlantic suspended its Heathrow to Riyadh service on Sunday after cancelling earlier weekend flights to Dubai. The airline cautioned that journeys to India, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives would likely take longer because of extended flight paths around closed airspace.

Budget carrier Wizz Air also announced the suspension of all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until at least next Saturday. The rapid succession of announcements underlined the uncertainty facing the aviation sector as airlines weighed operational safety against mounting passenger demand during the busy travel period.

For passengers caught in transit, the uncertainty has been both exhausting and distressing. Sarah Short, who had been due to return to London from Dubai, described how her aircraft had already boarded and begun preparing for departure before the captain announced that the flight would not proceed. She and fellow passengers remained seated on the tarmac for more than three hours before being disembarked.

Elsewhere, Emma Belcher and her husband Vic were returning from a holiday in the Maldives when their connecting flight in Dubai was cancelled. Stranded in the emirate, they described confusion over when airspace might reopen and anxiety about getting home to their children. “There is absolutely no information about when they might open airspace so we don’t know how long we’ll be here,” she said.

In Doha, John Henry, a 71-year-old tourist from Northampton, recounted being inside a shopping centre when an air raid alert sounded. Moments later, he heard what he described as a dull thud accompanied by tremors. Shoppers began leaving the complex quickly as security officials directed people to safer areas. Though Qatari authorities later said missiles had been intercepted, the incident underscored the fragility of calm in a region hosting major transport hubs and expatriate communities.

Governments have moved swiftly to issue travel advisories. The UK Foreign Office warned against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories and instructed British nationals in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to shelter in place immediately. Those in Saudi Arabia were advised to remain indoors in secure locations. British citizens in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey and Oman were told to remain vigilant and follow local authority guidance.

The Foreign Office also invited British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE to register their presence in order to receive direct updates and potential evacuation information if required. Officials emphasised that consular assistance remains available but cautioned that movement could be restricted while airspace closures persist.

The escalation follows joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. US President Donald Trump cited Tehran’s failure to reach an agreement on limiting its nuclear programme as a key factor behind the decision to authorise the action. The development marks a significant intensification of tensions that have simmered for years over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its regional influence.

In London, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chaired an emergency Cobra meeting to assess the implications for British nationals and regional stability. A government spokesperson said the immediate priority was the safety of UK citizens in the affected countries and that the government stood ready to provide support.

The aviation industry now faces the dual challenge of ensuring passenger safety while managing operational and financial fallout. Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai and Doha serve as critical connectors between Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia. Even short-term closures can cascade into global schedule disruptions, crew displacement and aircraft positioning complications.

Analysts note that airlines must constantly adjust flight plans to avoid restricted zones, a process requiring coordination with multiple air traffic authorities and rapid decision-making. Extended detours increase fuel consumption and flight times, adding cost pressures to carriers already navigating high operating expenses.

For travellers, uncertainty remains the defining feature of the crisis. Many passengers are being advised to monitor airline communications closely and avoid travelling to airports without confirmation of flight status. Insurance providers have also begun receiving claims related to cancellations and extended stays abroad.

While some Gulf states signalled that airspace could reopen later on Sunday evening, aviation authorities stressed that safety assessments would determine timing. Any further escalation could prolong restrictions, deepening the impact on international travel and commerce.

As diplomatic efforts intensify behind the scenes, millions of travellers worldwide are watching developments closely. For now, the skies over much of the Middle East remain either closed or heavily restricted, a stark reminder of how geopolitical tensions can rapidly disrupt the rhythms of global mobility.