Updated on: March 1, 2026 / 8:32 PM EST / CBS/AP
Widespread U.S.-Israeli strikes and Iran’s retaliatory actions have prompted several Middle Eastern countries to close portions of their airspace, disrupting travel across the region and beyond.
Flight tracker FlightAware reported more than 2,400 cancellations on Sunday affecting airports across the Middle East. Major hubs forced to halt operations included Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Doha in Qatar and Manama in Bahrain.
Emirates paused all flights to and from Dubai through at least Sunday afternoon. Qatar Airways said Hamad International Airport in Doha would remain closed until at least Monday morning. Israeli airspace also stayed shut on Sunday; El Al said it was preparing a recovery effort to repatriate Israelis once the skies reopen.
United Airlines has canceled all U.S. departures to Tel Aviv and corresponding return flights through March 6, citing regional airspace closures. The carrier also suspended service to and from Dubai through March 4.
Together, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad typically process roughly 90,000 passengers a day through their hub airports, Cirium aviation analytics firm says — a volume that magnifies the ripple effects of any prolonged disruption.
Airline industry analyst Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, warned travelers to expect ongoing disruption. “You should prepare for delays or cancellations for the next few days as these attacks evolve and hopefully end,” he said.
Many carriers have been forced to reroute flights south over Saudi Arabia, adding several hours to some journeys and increasing fuel consumption. Those operational impacts raise costs for airlines and could translate into higher fares if the disruption persists.
Mike McCormick, a former FAA air traffic control official, said some countries might reopen parts of their skies once U.S. and Israeli authorities provide clearer information about where military aircraft are operating and assessments of Iran’s missile reach are more certain. “I think what we’ll see in the next 24 to 36 hours is how the use of airspace evolves as the kinetic activity gets more well-defined,” he said.
The situation remains fluid. Airlines urged passengers to check flight status before traveling to airports; several carriers have issued waivers allowing travelers affected by closures to rebook without change fees or higher fares.