US and Israeli Attack on Iran Prompts Airlines to Cancel Middle Eastern Flights

LONDON — A US and Israeli military assault on Iran has triggered severe disruptions to air traffic across the Middle Eastern region and extended international routes. Several countries have closed their airspace as a precautionary security measure, whilst global airlines have cancelled and diverted flights.

According to the Associated Press, the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Israel closed their airspace on Saturday 28 February 2026. Qatar Airways also announced a temporary suspension of all flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace.

Aircraft destined for Israel have been redirected to alternative airports. Passengers at Ben Gurion International Airport awaiting departures have been sent home following flight cancellations.

In the United Arab Emirates, multiple flights have been affected by the airspace closure. Emirates stated that several of its schedules are disrupted and urged passengers to check flight status online. The airline is based at Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest international aviation hubs. Abu Dhabi’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, has also been impacted by similar measures.

Dutch carrier KLM previously announced a temporary suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv beginning Sunday. Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic cancelled flights from Heathrow Airport to Dubai and is avoiding airspace over Iraq.

This policy is likely to extend flight times for routes to India, the Maldives, Dubai, and Riyadh. These airlines are ensuring each flight carries additional fuel reserves to anticipate sudden route diversions.

Turkish national carrier Turkish Airlines announced via X (formerly Twitter) that flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan are suspended until Monday. Flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman were cancelled on Saturday. The company has not ruled out additional cancellations based on the evolving situation.

This disruption demonstrates how sensitive the global aviation industry is to geopolitical dynamics. Airspace closure in one country can trigger a domino effect across international flight networks, resulting in extended flight times, increased operational costs, and schedule uncertainty for millions of passengers.