LONDON — The U.S. and Israel’s military strikes on Iran triggered widespread airspace closures across the Middle East on Saturday, disrupting global travel and stranding thousands of passengers.
Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar shut down their airspace, while southern Syria also suspended flights. Aircraft en route to major hubs including Tel Aviv and Dubai were diverted or forced to return to their points of origin as the situation escalated.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international travel, reported more than 700 inbound and outbound flight cancellations. Operations were halted indefinitely at both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, according to airport authorities.
Airlines urged passengers to check flight statuses before heading to airports, warning that the situation remains fluid.
Jonathan Escott, who had arrived at Newcastle Airport in England for a direct flight to Dubai on Emirates, said he learned upon arrival that his flight had been canceled.
“No one knows,” Escott said. “No one really knows what’s going on with the conflict, really. Not Emirates, Emirates don’t have a clue. No one has a clue.”
The disruption is expected to have ripple effects beyond the Gulf, particularly for Dubai-based Emirates and other international carriers that use the city as a global hub.
Emirates confirmed it was temporarily suspending operations to and from Dubai International. Air Canada canceled its scheduled Dubai services, while Qatar Airways suspended flights to and from Doha due to airspace restrictions.
European carriers also expanded cancellations. KLM had already announced it would suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv starting Sunday. Airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, Transavia and Pegasus Airlines canceled flights to Lebanon.
Virgin Atlantic canceled its Heathrow-to-Dubai service and said it would avoid Iraqi airspace, potentially extending flight times to India, the Maldives and Riyadh. The airline noted it was already avoiding Iranian airspace and would carry additional fuel to accommodate sudden rerouting.
British Airways suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until next week and canceled Saturday services to Amman, Jordan.
In the United States, United Airlines said flights en route to Tel Aviv and Dubai were either diverted or returned. The carrier canceled flights between the U.S. and Tel Aviv through Monday and between the U.S. and Dubai through Sunday, issuing travel waivers allowing passengers to rebook without penalty.
Turkish Airlines announced that flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan would be suspended through Monday, with additional cancellations possible. Services to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman were suspended for Saturday.
With regional airspace closures continuing and security risks evolving, aviation authorities and airlines warned that further disruptions may follow as the conflict unfolds.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
