Middle East Airspace Shutdown Triggers More Than 19,000 Flight Cancellations Across Seven Major Airports

Severe airspace restrictions across the Middle East have resulted in over 19,000 flight cancellations between 28 February and 6 March, marking one of the most significant aviation disruptions the region has experienced in recent years.

The shutdown has affected operations at Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Sharjah (SHJ), Kuwait (KWI), Bahrain (BAH), and Dubai World Central (DWC), all of which serve as major transit hubs for global travel.

The cancellations follow the closure of large portions of regional airspace after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks, which forced airlines to halt operations, divert aircraft, and suspend long‑haul routes that typically transit the Gulf.

According to aviation data compiled over the week‑long shutdown, cancellations across the seven airports were as follows:

• Feb 28: 1,400+ flights

• Mar 1: 3,400+ flights

• Mar 2: 3,400+ flights

• Mar 3: 3,300+ flights

• Mar 4: 3,200+ flights

• Mar 5: 3,000+ flights

• Mar 6: 1,300+ flights

This brings the seven day total to more than 19,000 cancelled flights, affecting millions of passengers and disrupting global aviation flows between Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

The cancellations align with broader industry data showing that more than 23,000 flights across the GCC were cancelled during the same period due to airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel, and parts of the UAE.

Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest experienced significant operational paralysis, with Emirates suspending all flights at the height of the crisis and only allowing a limited number of departures once partial reopening began.

Doha’s Hamad International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport also faced widespread cancellations as Qatar Airways and Etihad halted or sharply reduced operations. Airspace maps showed the skies over the Gulf almost completely empty in the hours following the initial strikes.

The impact extended far beyond the Middle East. Airlines in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia were forced to reroute or cancel flights that normally cross the region. Passengers were stranded as far away as Brazil, Australia, Nepal, and Germany, with long‑haul carriers adding hours to flight times to avoid closed airspace.

While some airspace corridors have begun to reopen, aviation authorities caution that full restoration of normal operations may take several days as airlines reposition aircraft, rebuild schedules, and clear backlogs of stranded passengers.

The situation remains fluid, and airlines are advising travellers to check flight status frequently and avoid airports unless they hold confirmed bookings.