Gulf airspace crisis: over 5,400 flights canceled amid regional conflict

The skies over the Arabian Gulf are experiencing an unprecedented aviation crisis, with FlightRadar24 reporting more than 5,400 flight cancellations on Sunday and Monday due to ongoing airspace closures linked to the regional war.

Widespread disruption at major hubs

• Sunday: Over 3,400 flights were canceled across key airports, including Dubai International, Al Maktoum, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Hamad International, Kuwait International, and Bahrain International.
• Monday: Disruptions continued with more than 2,000 additional flights canceled at the same airports.

Emergency aviation measures (NOTAMs)

Authorities issued temporary restrictions to ensure safety:

• Reduced traffic: Limiting the number of planes on sensitive routes.
• Rerouting: Aircraft diverted to longer alternative corridors to avoid conflict zones.
• Temporary closures: Some airports suspended operations entirely.

Major airlines respond

• Emirates: Temporarily suspended all flights to and from Dubai International until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3.
• Qatar Airways: Continued flight suspensions due to Qatar’s closed airspace, pending regulatory updates.
• Kuwait authorities: Reported Iranian attacks near Kuwait International Airport, forcing flight suspensions and diversions for safety.

Global impact

Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha serve as critical hubs connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. The disruption has caused major confusion in international flight schedules, with ongoing route adjustments as authorities monitor security developments in the region.