Middle East Crisis Triggers Flight Cancellations Across Dozens of Airlines
A critical security situation in the Middle East has severely disrupted air traffic, forcing dozens of airlines to cancel flight schedules following escalating conflict between Iran and the Israel-United States coalition.
Eight nations in the region have closed their airspace in response to the conflict, which erupted on Saturday. These include Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, according to Al Jazeera reporting. Syria has also announced a 12-hour closure of airspace in its southern region along the Israeli border.
The Middle East has become a critical route for flights between Europe and Asia, particularly following the closure of Russian and Ukrainian airspace to most carriers due to ongoing conflict there. Airlines have been forced to reroute flights via Larnaca, Jeddah, Cairo, and Riyadh.
Significant airline responses include the suspension of operations by Emirates and flydubai of the UAE, whilst Etihad has suspended all departures from Abu Dhabi until 10:00 GMT on Sunday. Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways have temporarily suspended flights, whilst Turkish Airlines has cancelled services to several Middle Eastern destinations. Oman Air has suspended all flights to Baghdad, and Kuwait’s aviation authority has halted all flights to Iran pending further notice. Russian aviation authorities have suspended Russian carrier flights to Iran and Israel.
Additional carriers implementing flight suspensions to the region include Aegean Airlines, Air Algerie, Air France, Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Indigo, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Pakistan International Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and Wizz Air.
Flight monitoring agency Cirium reported that approximately 24 per cent of flights to the Middle East were cancelled on Saturday. Airlines cancelled roughly half of their scheduled services to Qatar and Israel, and approximately 28 per cent of flights to Kuwait.
Eric Schouten, chief aviation security adviser at Dyami, stated: “Passengers and airlines can anticipate airspace closures will remain in effect for a considerable period in this region. The impact on regional flights is both immediate and highly dynamic.”
Turkey’s national carrier Turkish Airlines announced on Saturday the cancellation of all flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan through 2 March 2026 following closures of Middle Eastern airspace resulting from the Israeli-American strikes on Iran. The airline also cancelled services to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman scheduled for 28 February 2026, according to senior vice president of communications Yahya Ustun. Ustun advised passengers to check official airline websites for the latest flight information, noting that airspace conditions are being monitored continuously with potential additional cancellations.
Turkish low-cost carrier Ajet announced cancellations of flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon through 2 March and to the United Arab Emirates on 28 February due to airspace closures in several Middle Eastern nations. Press adviser Mehmet Yesilkaya stated the situation is being closely monitored with additional cancellations possible.
Turkish budget carrier Pegasus announced cancellations of flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon through 2 March, as well as services to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Riyadh scheduled for 28 February. The airline stated it continues to monitor regional developments with potential for further flight cancellations.
These cancellations follow widening flight restrictions resulting from the combined Israeli-American military action against Iran.