Flights Cancelled and New Travel Warnings Issued After Iran Strikes

Published: 3 March 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

Air travellers around the world are facing major disruption as flights have been cancelled, rerouted and delayed following a wave of military strikes by Iran and escalating conflict involving the United States and Israel. Major airspaces across the Middle East have been closed or severely restricted, prompting airlines to cancel thousands of flights, leave passengers stranded and airlines and governments to issue fresh travel warnings for the region.

The outbreak of hostilities has resulted in temporary airspace closures over countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Israel and Iran, which has effectively shut down operations at key hubs such as Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi and Doha. As a result, more than 2,800 flights were cancelled on Sunday alone, affecting connections between Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Passengers report chaotic scenes at airports as thousands try to rebook or reroute travels.

Major carriers including Emirates, Air India, Qatar Airways, Air Canada and several European airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to and from affected cities. Airlines have offered refunds, flight waivers and rebooking options for passengers whose itineraries were disrupted. Some carriers are also avoiding entire Middle East airspace until safety and flight corridors are clarified.

Governments have responded with new travel warnings and advisories for citizens planning to travel to or through the region. European nations have tightened guidance, urging citizens to avoid non‑essential travel to many Gulf countries, and advising those already in the area to stay informed of security developments and consider departing while commercial options remain available.

Regional authorities are urging travellers to check flight statuses directly with airlines and cautioning against travel to conflict zones until the situation stabilises. Several national foreign ministries have issued alerts to their citizens, emphasising both safety and the rapidly evolving nature of the conflict that has caused airspace closures and disrupted international travel routes.

The cancellations and warnings come amid retaliatory attacks and complex geopolitical shifts following Iran’s strikes and subsequent military actions across the Gulf, increasing uncertainty for global passengers and reinforcing the need for travel caution and flexibility at this stage.

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