More than 3,400 flights were cancelled on Sunday across seven major Middle Eastern airports  Dubai International (DXB), Hamad International in Doha (DOH), Zayed International in Abu Dhabi (AUH), Sharjah (SHJ), Kuwait (KWI), Bahrain (BAH), and Dubai World Central (DWC) as widespread airspace closures continue in the aftermath of US–Israel strikes on Iran. Flight-tracking data shows that the cancellations stem from the near‑total shutdown of regional airspace, with Iran, Iraq,

Major Gulf carriers have suspended all operations as unprecedented airspace closures sweep across the Middle East, following US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks. The shutdown has effectively severed some of the world’s busiest aviation corridors, grounding thousands of passengers across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Emirates confirmed that all flights to and from Dubai are suspended until 15:00 UAE time on Monday, 2 March, citing “multiple regional airsp

Two private jet operations departing from Male’ were forced to return to Velana International Airport (VIA) today after widespread Middle East airspace closures disrupted their planned routes toward Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. The disruptions follow escalating regional tensions triggered by Israeli strikes, which led several Gulf states to suspend flights and restrict airspace. A VistaJet private jet operating a charter service from Male’ to Košice, Slovakia, initia

A Flydubai flight FZ1026 operating flight from Male’ to Dubai is currently returning to the Maldives after a sudden wave of airspace closures across the Gulf region made entry into the UAE impossible. The aircraft, which departed Male’ earlier today, initiated a turn‑back while en route when multiple Gulf states suspended flights and restricted airspace in response to escalating regional military activity. Iran, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain enacted immediate airspace restri

Israel launched what it described as a pre‑emptive strike on Iran, prompting Iran, Israel and Iraq to close their airspace and triggering major disruption across key aviation corridors. Explosions were reported in Tehran and several other Iranian cities following the strikes, with Iranian state media acknowledging multiple blasts. Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation issued a NOTAM closing the entire Iranian airspace until further notice, forcing all overflying traffic to exit

Bullet holes were discovered on the wing of an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 after the aircraft arrived in Miami from Colombia, according to reports. Flight AA923 landed safely at Miami International Airport on Monday following its scheduled service from Bogotá. During a routine post‑flight inspection, maintenance personnel identified puncture marks on the aircraft’s right aileron. American Airlines confirmed the discovery and said the aircraft was taken out of service i

An EL AL flight preparing to depart Los Angeles for Tel Aviv faced an unexpected disruption when ground staff discovered that a large number of checked bags had been covered with stickers shortly before departure. The incident, which occurred on February 16 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), forced the airline to halt loading operations and initiate a full security response. According to airport staff, the discovery was made after the bags had already been placed ins

StarSky Aviation has commended the flight crew of a Fokker 50 after the aircraft conducted a forced landing along the Mogadishu coastline following a reported technical malfunction shortly after departure. All 55 people on board, 50 passengers and five crew members survived the incident without injuries. The aircraft, a Fokker 50 registered 6O‑YAS, had taken off from Aden Adde International Airport on a scheduled flight to Djibouti when the crew encountered a technical issue

Apogee Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. has placed a landmark USD 435 million order for 15 Albatross 2.0 amphibious aircraft from Australia’s Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI), marking one of the most significant commercial commitments yet in India’s emerging amphibious aviation sector. Beyond the aircraft acquisition, the agreement outlines a broader industrial partnership that could see a final assembly line for the Albatross series established in India, positioning the country as a

Greater Bay Airlines of Hong Kong has begun charter operations to the Maldives, marking another expansion of the country’s air connectivity with East Asia. The airline’s inaugural service, flight HB2500, arrived at Velana International Airport yesterday, where it was welcomed with a traditional water salute. A total of 174 passengers travelled on the first flight. Greater Bay Airlines will operate direct charter flights between Hong Kong and Malé using the Boeing 737 MAX, add

Airbus is considering a stretched version of the A350 after Boeing indicated it was prepared to develop a larger 777X, with Emirates now saying it would look at the proposed Airbus variant if it is launched. In November, Airbus executives said the manufacturer was looking at a possible stretch of the A350 following Boeing’s move to discuss a higher‑capacity 777X as part of a major order campaign. At the time, Airbus framed the idea as part of its long‑term product planning, w

A FedEx Airbus A300‑600F experienced a nose‑landing‑gear collapse on Wednesday while parked outside the company’s maintenance facility in Baltimore. The aircraft was undergoing maintenance at the time of the event. Airport fire and rescue teams responded after the aircraft’s nose gear unexpectedly gave way, causing the forward fuselage to settle onto the apron. The aircraft was stationary, and the situation remained contained to the FedEx maintenance area. There were no opera

AirBorneo and ATR have announced a strategic partnership to renew and modernise Malaysia’s Rural Air Services (RAS) fleet, with the airline confirming a firm order for eight new ATR aircraft. The agreement includes five ATR 72‑600s and three ATR 42‑600s, along with purchase rights for four additional aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2029. The order represents a key step in AirBorneo’s transition into Sarawak’s state‑owned carrier and its assum

Authorities in Spain are investigating an incident at Valencia Airport after a Moroccan man gained access to the airside area and climbed onto the roof of a Vueling Airbus A320 on Saturday. The individual reportedly reached the aircraft by using the passenger stairs positioned at the forward door before making his way onto the top of the fuselage. Airport security and members of the Civil Guard responded immediately. According to officials, three civil guards engaged with the

Saudi Arabia has formally informed Iran that it will not permit its airspace or territory to be used for any military action against the Islamic Republic, a position that significantly limits the operational options available to the United States amid heightened regional tensions. According to sources cited by AFP, Riyadh delivered the message directly to Tehran, clarifying that the Kingdom will neither participate in nor facilitate any strike targeting Iran. The communicatio

A Learjet 45XR aircraft (registration VT‑SSK) crashed near Baramati Airport, a non‑towered airfield in Maharashtra, at around 8:45 am this morning, killing all five people on board. Authorities have confirmed there were no survivors. The aircraft was on approach to Baramati when it went down just short of the runway threshold. Emergency responders reached the site shortly after the crash and confirmed that the aircraft was destroyed on impact. Those on board included a ruling

UPS has formally withdrawn its remaining McDonnell Douglas MD‑11 freighters from service, marking the end of the carrier’s operations with the tri‑jet type. The move follows a fatal accident in November and the subsequent grounding of the entire MD‑11 fleet. The retirement was confirmed in UPS’s fourth‑quarter 2025 earnings release, published on January 27. In the filing, the company disclosed a non‑cash, after‑tax charge associated with the accelerated phase‑out of the MD‑11

The United Arab Emirates has reiterated its longstanding policy of preventing its airspace, territory, and territorial waters from being used for any hostile military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The statement, issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on 26 January 2026, underscores the country’s continued emphasis on diplomacy, de‑escalation, and respect for state sovereignty. Clear Position Against Participation in Hostile Acts In its announcemen

GE Aerospace has completed a major hybrid‑electric propulsion milestone, successfully demonstrating power transfer, extraction, and injection on a high‑bypass commercial turbofan engine, a step the company says brings hybrid‑electric flight closer to commercial reality. The achievement was announced following 2025 ground tests of a modified Passport engine at GE’s Peebles Test Operation in Ohio. The work was conducted under NASA’s Turbofan Engine Power Extraction Demonstratio

A Challenger 650 business jet crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport on Sunday evening, killing seven of the eight people on board and leaving one survivor in critical condition. The aircraft overturned on the runway after attempting departure in severe winter weather, prompting an immediate shutdown of all airport operations. Takeoff in a Winter Storm The jet had been preparing for departure amid heavy snowfall, low visibility, and rapidly deteriorating runw