Due to the escalating tensions between Israel, Iran, and the United States, air travel across the Middle East is currently facing major disruptions. As of March 2, 2026, several airspaces have been closed, and hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted for safety.
Here is a summary of the current situation regarding airports and airline schedules:
1. Airport & Airspace Status
Military activity and security threats have led to the closure of key regional airspaces:
- Iran: The entire Iranian airspace is currently closed to commercial traffic. All international and domestic flights from Tehran and other major cities are suspended.
- Israel: Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) is seeing massive cancellations. While not officially closed for all operations, most international carriers have stopped flying there.
- UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi): Significant disruptions are reported at Dubai International (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH). Major delays are occurring as flights avoid nearby conflict zones.
- Jordan, Iraq, & Lebanon: These countries have temporarily closed their airspaces to all civilian aircraft as a precautionary measure.
2. Major Airline Schedule Updates
Most global airlines have suspended flights to the affected regions or are taking significantly longer routes.
| Airline | Status | Impact/Duration |
| Emirates & flydubai | Suspended | Most flights through Dubai are delayed or cancelled until further notice. |
| Air India / IndiGo | Suspended | Flights to Tel Aviv and parts of the Middle East are cancelled through March 3. |
| Etihad Airways | Cancelled | Several flights from Abu Dhabi have been cancelled today (March 1). |
| Lufthansa / Air France | Suspended | Flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Amman are suspended until at least March 7. |
| Turkish Airlines | Restricted | Flights to Iran, Iraq, and Jordan are currently halted. |
| Qatar Airways | Delayed | Flights are being rerouted, causing significant delays for transit passengers. |
3. Impact on Travel & Passengers
- Longer Flight Times: Since aircraft cannot fly over Iran or Israel, they are taking much longer routes (often via Africa or Northern Europe), adding 3–5 hours to travel times.
- Ticket Prices: Due to fuel costs from longer routes and high demand for safe paths, ticket prices in the region have surged.
- Refund Policies: Most airlines are offering “Force Majeure” waivers, allowing passengers to rebook or get a full refund without penalty.
Important Note: If you have an upcoming flight, do not leave for the airport without checking your live flight status on the airline’s official app or website, as the situation is changing by the hour.
