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Middle East aviation remains grounded with airspace and airports closed

Singapore freight forwarders – Star Concord
02-Mar-2026
  • Airspace closures and suspended operations across the region followed joint US–Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks, prompting widespread restrictions on civilian traffic.
  • As of 2 March, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had announced at least partial airspace closures.
  • The restrictions have triggered large-scale flight suspensions, diversions and cancellations, affecting both passenger and cargo movements.

Key Gulf hubs have been particularly impacted, with operational disruptions reported at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha – three of the region’s most critical transit points for intercontinental traffic.

According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, more than 2,000 flights to and from seven major Gulf airports have been cancelled. These include Dubai International, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Bahrain International Airport and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International.

The scale of the cancellations underscores the strategic importance of Gulf hubs within global aviation networks. With these airports acting as key connectors between Europe, Asia and Africa, continued disruption is expected to have knock-on effects across long-haul passenger routes and time-sensitive cargo flows.

Situation update – 2 March

Qatar Airways confirmed that its flight operations remain temporarily suspended following the closure of Qatari airspace. In a statement posted on X, the airline said operations would resume only once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of the country’s airspace.

“Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace,” the carrier stated, adding that a further update is expected on 3 March at 09:00 Doha time.

The continued suspension underscores the depth of disruption at one of the region’s key transit hubs, with implications not only for passenger flows but also for belly cargo capacity moving between Asia, Europe and Africa.

Etihad Airways also confirmed ongoing disruption, stating that regional airspace closures continue to affect operations. In an update posted on X, the airline said that “all flights to and from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 14:00 UAE time on Tuesday 3 March.”

 

Emirates confirmed a temporary suspension of operations amid the widening regional airspace closures. In a post on X, Emirates stated: “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500hrs UAE time on Monday, 2 March.”

 

Oman Air announced cancellations linked to the ongoing regional airspace closures. In a statement posted on X, the airline confirmed that flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam and Kuwait scheduled for 1 and 2 March were cancelled, along with services to and from Moscow on 1 March.

“All other flights are operating as scheduled; however, some delays may be expected,” the carrier said, adding that it continues to monitor the situation in coordination with relevant authorities.

Gulf Air also confirmed continued disruption, stating that its flights remain temporarily suspended due to regional airspace closures. In a post on X, the airline said operations would resume only once the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (BCAA) confirms the safe reopening of airspace.

“Operations will resume once the BCAA confirms safe reopening,” the carrier stated, with a further update scheduled for 11:00 Bahrain time (08:00 UTC) on 3 March.

Bahrain International Airport separately confirmed that flight operations remain temporarily suspended following the closure of Bahraini airspace. In an update dated 2 March, the airport stated: “Flight operations at Bahrain International Airport remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Bahrain airspace.” Authorities added that further updates would be provided as information becomes available.

The post Middle East aviation remains grounded with airspace and airports closed appeared first on Air Cargo Week.

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Author: Anastasiya Simsek

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