Global air travel remained severely disrupted on Sunday as conflict in Iran forced the closure of major Middle East airports, including Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest international hub.
Read More: US-Iran conflict disrupts thousands of flights as travel chaos deepens
Key transit airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha were shut or heavily restricted after US and Israeli strikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran’s retaliatory attacks, including reported strikes near Gulf cities, further compounded the crisis.
The war in the Middle East between Iran and Israel‑US closes key airports, disrupting global air travel and forcing airlines to cancel or reroute thousands of flights
🔗 https://t.co/oX0Tdy1eSa pic.twitter.com/7FOp4pvYHU— TRT World (@trtworld) March 1, 2026
The impact rippled far beyond the region, stranding tens of thousands of passengers in cities such as Bali, Kathmandu and Frankfurt. Airports in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were also hit, while thousands of flights were affected across the Middle East, according to flight-tracking services.
Emirates suspended all operations to and from Dubai until Monday. Qatar Airways halted services entirely, while Lufthansa extended its suspension of regional flights through March 8.
Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar was largely empty, data from Flightradar24 showed. A pilot bulletin extended the closure of Iranian airspace until at least March 3.
Analysts described the shutdown of the Gulf’s three main transit hubs as unprecedented. The region is a vital crossroads linking Europe and Asia, and its closure has left aircraft and crews stranded worldwide.
Read More: US-Iran conflict grounds thousands of flights worldwide
Higher oil prices have added pressure, with Brent crude jumping 10% to $80 a barrel. Airlines are now facing rising fuel costs alongside complex logistical challenges in repositioning planes and staff once airspace reopens.
Industry experts warn that prolonged disruption could have lasting consequences for global travel and trade.