Airlines cancel flights after U.S., Israel strikes on Iran
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- Flights across the Middle East are suspended after US and 'Israeli' strikes on Iran.
- Major hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha halt operations, causing global travel chaos.
Passengers face severe disruption after flights between Western Europe and the Middle East were cancelled following military strikes by the United States and 'Israeli' forces on Iran.
The operation, described by Donald Trump as a “major combat operation,” prompted Iran and Iraq to close their airspace. Airlines were forced to divert routes, causing widespread cancellations and delays.
Regional Airports Halt Operations
Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest aviation hub, suspended flights, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. Emirates announced a temporary halt, offering rebooking and refunds, citing passenger and crew safety as the priority.
Abu Dhabi Airport closed until at least 2pm Sunday, with Etihad suspending all flights scheduled before that time. Qatar Airways also grounded operations at Doha, returning flights from Europe to their origin airports.
British Airways cancelled flights linking London with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Amman, Bahrain, and Tel Aviv until March 3. Virgin Atlantic suspended routes between London and Dubai, Riyadh, and other Middle Eastern destinations. Wizz Air halted flights to 'Israel', Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until March 7.
Airspace Closures Force Diversions
Flightradar24 tracking shows planes rerouting around Iraq and Iran, with aircraft flying west over Saudi Arabia instead of usual routes. The closures have caused extended flight paths, congestion, and delays expected to continue until the airspace reopens.
Governments Warn Against Travel
The UK Foreign Office updated travel advice, urging citizens to avoid all travel to 'Israel' and Palestine and follow local authority guidance. Travelers are advised to stay clear of military sites and ensure travel documents are current.
Passengers are advised to monitor airline communications closely for updates on cancellations, rerouting, and rebooking options.
