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Air Arabia

US–Israel–Iran War Trigggers Widespread Airspace Closures, 4,000+ Flight Cancellations SEO DES: More than 3,400 flights were cancelled on Sunday, followed by at least 1,239 additional cancellations on Monday as restrictions continued SOCIAL: Global air travel faced major disruption after joint US–Israel strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks, leading to widespread airspace closures across the Middle East. Key hubs in the UAE and Qatar were affected, forcing airlines to suspend operations. More than 3,400 flights were cancelled on Sunday, followed by at least 1,239 additional cancellations on Monday as restrictions continued. Major Gulf carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways halted or adjusted services, while Indian and international airlines also suspended regional routes. Thousands of passengers were stranded as regulators classified the affected corridors as high-risk airspace. Middle East: Global air travel faced unprecedented disruption this weekend after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, prompting Iranian retaliatory strikes and widespread airspace closures across the Middle East. The resulting cascade of aviation cancellations, diversions, and suspensions has left thousands of passengers stranded or rerouted, grounding one of the world’s busiest flight corridors. The military escalation began with joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian territory, which led to Iran firing missiles and drones towards Gulf states. UAE authorities reported multiple impacts at major airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where at least three people were killed and dozens injured following Iranian strikes and debris falling from intercepted missiles. As a result, airspace closures were declared by countries including Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, effectively halting the region’s major aviation hubs notably Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Doha’s Hamad International Airport. More than 3,400 flights were cancelled on Sunday alone as escalating hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran forced widespread airspace closures across the Middle East. On Monday, 2 March 2026, at least 1,239 flights were cancelled worldwide as airlines continued to suspend operations and airspace closures persisted due to the escalating conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. According to data cited by international flight tracking agencies and reported by global media outlets, cancellations surged after multiple countries shut their airspace following military strikes and retaliatory attacks. The disruption compounded earlier projections of over 700 cancellations, pushing the day’s total well beyond 3,000 flights globally. A broad spectrum of Middle Eastern, Indian and international airlines suspended or cancelled services due to safety advisories and airspace restrictions. Middle Eastern carriers impacted include: Emirates Etihad Airways Qatar Airways flydubai Air Arabia These carriers temporarily halted or adjusted operations at major Gulf hubs as regional airspace became unsafe for civilian flights. Indian airlines affected include: Air India IndiGo Air India Express Akasa Air These airlines suspended services to destinations across the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Israel. International carriers reporting cancellations or suspensions include: British Airways Lufthansa Air France United Airlines Turkish Airlines Pakistan International Airlines Delta Air Lines has cancelled flights from New York to Tel Aviv until 8 March, while American Airlines’s Doha-Philadelphia flights are "temporarily suspended". Air Canada has cancelled flights from Canada to Israel until 8 March and to Dubai until 3 March. Air India has extended the suspension of all flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 11:59 pm local time (7:29 pm CET) on 2 March 2026. Aircraft already airborne when airspace closures were announced were forced to divert to alternate airports in Europe and Asia, with some long-haul services returning to their origin airports mid-flight. Major transit hubs in the Gulf saw thousands of passengers stranded as airlines scrambled to reposition crews and aircraft. Authorities across India and the Middle East placed airports on high alert to manage unscheduled arrivals. Ticket prices on unaffected routes surged sharply amid reduced capacity. Civil aviation regulators have designated affected corridors as high-risk airspace, advising operators to avoid the region pending further risk assessments.

US–Israel–Iran War Trigggers Widespread Airspace Closures, 4,000+ Flight Cancellations

Aviation Today News Desk / March 2, 2026

Middle East: Global air travel faced unprecedented disruption this weekend after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack […]

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Global aviation operations have been significantly disrupted this week as a number of major carriers suspend or cancel flights to and from Israel and several key Gulf destinations, citing escalating geopolitical risks and heightened regional instability. Airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and British Airways have announced cancellations or temporary suspensions of services to critical hubs such as Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion Airport), Dubai and Riyadh, as well as broader route adjustments across the Middle East. The moves come amid intensifying security concerns related to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, and ongoing conflict dynamics in the region. Air France has temporarily halted flights between Paris and Dubai, stating that “due to the current situation in the Middle East,” the airline will suspend service to the UAE emirate for the time being. Dutch carrier KLM has paused flights not only to Tel Aviv but also to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam (Saudi Arabia) while avoiding overflight of airspace above Iran, Iraq and several neighboring countries as a precaution. Lufthansa Group and British Airways have similarly scaled back operations to the region, with suspensions and cancellations affecting multiple daily services. The disruptions are reported to extend beyond European carriers, reflecting a broader industry response to the perceived security risks associated with the volatile geopolitical environment. These recent cancellations follow a broader pattern of flight suspensions and diversions that have periodically impacted Middle East routes throughout 2025 as regional tensions escalated. In past flare-ups, carriers such as Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia also halted services to destinations including Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon due to airspace closures and safety concerns. Aviation industry analysts warn that these cancellations could have considerable knock-on effects for global travel and logistics networks. Passengers with upcoming itineraries to the affected regions are being urged to check flight statuses directly with airlines and to contact carriers promptly for rebooking or refund options where applicable. In related developments from prior months, international carriers had earlier extended or re-imposed suspensions for flights to and from Tel Aviv due to direct threats on airspace infrastructure. Airlines and aviation authorities emphasize that passenger and crew safety remain the top priorities guiding route decisions.

Major Airlines Cancel Israel, Dubai & Riyadh Flights Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

Aviation Today News Desk / January 24, 2026

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Global aviation operations have been significantly disrupted this week as a number of major carriers suspend

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch three new airlines, a significant expansion of its aviation ecosystem as the kingdom accelerates its Vision 2030 strategy to boost tourism, improve connectivity and transform into a global aviation hub. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, confirmed the plan, saying the new carriers will complement the existing network led by Saudia, Riyadh Air, flynas and flyadeal. “A successful national airline builds a destination, Riyadh Air, Saudia and three more air carriers to be announced,” he said. The first of the three new carriers will be a low-cost airline based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The airline will be operated by a consortium comprising Air Arabia, Nesma Group, and KUN Holding, after the group won the government tender earlier this year. According to public disclosures, the new LCC plans to operate 45 aircraft by 2030, fly 24 domestic and 57 international routes, and handle around 10 million passengers annually. It is also expected to generate approximately 2,400 direct jobs once fully operational. These developments align with Saudi Arabia’s push to decentralize aviation capacity beyond Jeddah and Riyadh, strengthening the Eastern Province as a competitive hub for both domestic and regional travel. A second airline will be established in Medina, focused on serving the booming religious tourism sector. The carrier is expected to support Hajj and Umrah operations by providing direct international connectivity to the holy city, reducing pressure on Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. Government officials indicated that tenders for the Medina-based airline are expected within months, signaling that planning is already in advanced stages. The third airline remains undisclosed, with no public confirmation on whether it will be a full-service, hybrid or low-cost carrier. Industry observers say the airline could target underserved regional markets or support long-haul connectivity as Saudi Arabia expands its inbound tourism targets. Saudi Arabia handled 128 million passengers in 2024, a double-digit increase that has reinforced the need for expanded airline capacity and airport infrastructure. The kingdom has committed $100 billion to overhaul and modernize its aviation sector, including airport development, new carriers, digital transformation and long-term fleet investments. Riyadh Air is scheduled to launch international operations in 2025, while Saudia Group is expanding through flyadeal’s recent order of 10 Airbus A330neo aircraft, signaling the nation’s broader shift toward becoming a top global aviation market. The launch of three new airlines represents one of the most aggressive aviation expansions currently underway globally, positioning Saudi Arabia to handle its revised tourism target of 150 million annual visitors by 2030.

Saudi Arabia To Launch Three New Airlines To Boost Tourism And Aviation Growth

Aviation Today News Desk / November 24, 2025

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch three new airlines, a significant expansion of its aviation ecosystem as

Air Arabia Expands Hiring Drive For Pilots, Cabin Crew, Engineers & Ground Staff

Aviation Today News Desk / November 12, 2025

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s leading low-cost carrier, has launched a major recruitment

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