Coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran have triggered widespread disruption to global air travel, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded as multiple Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace.
Airspace closures were announced by Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain, while the United Arab Emirates confirmed a “temporary and partial closure” of its skies. According to flight tracking platform FlightRadar24, there was virtually no commercial flight activity over the UAE at the height of the disruption.
Major regional hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha were forced to suspend operations, leading to more than 1,800 flight cancellations. The three dominant carriers operating through these hubs — Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways — collectively handle roughly 90,000 transit passengers daily, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Authorities in the UAE reported missile and drone-related incidents at key airports. Dubai International Airport confirmed four injuries, while Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi reported one fatality and seven injuries following a drone strike. Kuwait International Airport also reported strike-related incidents.
At least 145 aircraft en route to destinations including Tel Aviv and Dubai were diverted to alternative airports such as Athens, Istanbul, and Rome, according to FlightAware. Some long-haul flights were forced to turn back mid-journey, including one service that spent nearly 15 hours airborne before returning to its departure point.
Airlines worldwide suspended services to affected destinations. Air India canceled all Middle East flights, while Turkish Airlines halted operations to several regional cities. U.S.-based Delta Air Lines and United Airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv.
Industry analysts warn that rerouting aircraft around conflict zones will extend flight durations, increase fuel consumption, and potentially raise ticket prices. While some experts believe partial airspace reopenings may occur within days, uncertainty remains over how long the disruption will persist.
