In the aftermath of escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel triggered by joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026, a significant number of international airlines have either suspended or rerouted their flights operating in and around the Middle East. This drastic response comes as multiple countries in the region, including Iran, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Oman, have closed their airspaces to commercial aviation amid growing security concerns. The closures have severely impacted vital air corridors connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, leading to widespread cancellations and delays that have unsettled global travel schedules.
The ongoing conflict, marked by retaliatory missile strikes from Iran following the initial attacks, has compelled aviation authorities and regulators, particularly within the European Union, to issue advisories against flying over these volatile regions. The volatile security landscape has forced airlines to prioritize passenger safety, prompting them to alter flight paths or suspend services altogether. Travelers with plans involving transit through or travel to the Middle East are strongly advised to stay in close contact with their airlines, as the suspension periods may extend beyond the initially announced dates depending on how the situation evolves.
The primary catalyst behind these widespread flight suspensions is the closure of critical airspaces due to ongoing military operations. With Iran, Israel, and several neighboring countries shutting down their skies, commercial flights face insurmountable operational challenges and heightened risks. Reports of missile launches and increased military activity have made it unsafe for airlines to maintain normal routes, echoing previous episodes of regional instability but on a larger and more disruptive scale. Major global carriers are now forced to reroute flights, often adding several hours to journeys between Europe and Asia. Additionally, many airlines are deliberately avoiding airspace over conflict-prone zones such as Iraq, which further extends flight durations and complicates scheduling.
Given the fluid nature of the crisis, airlines continue to monitor developments closely and are preparing to resume normal operations as soon as the security environment stabilizes. However, the current uncertainty has already led to significant operational disruptions, affecting not only passengers but also cargo and business travel across multiple continents.
Below is an updated list of major airlines that have announced flight suspensions or cancellations in response to the Iran-Israel conflict, with specific routes and durations varying by carrier. These suspensions predominantly affect flights to and from Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, and Oman:
- Aegean Airlines: Suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Erbil until March 2, 2026.
- Air France (Air France-KLM group): Cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut on February 28, with possible extensions.
- Air India: Temporarily halted all flights across the Middle East until further notice.
- Ajet (Turkish low-cost carrier): Cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon until March 2, and to the UAE on February 28.
- British Airways: Suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Amman for several days including February 28.
- Emirates: Paused services amid regional turmoil; specific suspension durations remain unclear.
- Iberia: Announced suspensions to various Middle Eastern destinations.
- Indigo: Halted flights to affected Middle East locations.
- Japan Airlines: Suspended all flights to the Middle East region.
- KLM: Suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv starting February 29 and avoiding Iraqi airspace.
- Lufthansa: Halted flights to multiple Middle Eastern cities including Tel Aviv and Beirut.
- Qatar Airways: Temporarily suspended all flights to and from Doha due to closure of Qatari airspace, affecting its entire network.
- Russian carriers: Suspended flights to Iran and Israel.
- Scandinavian Airlines (SAS): Halted operations to the region.
- Turkish Airlines: Cancelled flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan until March 2; flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, and Oman cancelled for February 28.
- Virgin Atlantic: Cancelled flights to Dubai and avoiding Iraqi airspace, impacting routes to India, Maldives, Dubai, and Riyadh.
- Wizz Air: Suspended flights to affected Middle Eastern destinations.
It is important to note this list is not exhaustive, as many regional and low-cost carriers are also adjusting their schedules in response to the rapidly changing security environment.
Key airports in the region are experiencing significant operational disruptions. Major hubs such as Dubai International Airport (DXB), Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), and Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) have seen numerous flight cancellations and delays, creating chaotic scenes for passengers stranded amid the turmoil. The countries most directly affected by these airspace closures and flight suspensions include Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, and Oman.
The ripple effects of these suspensions extend far beyond the Middle East. Flights between Europe and Asia are now being rerouted either southward over Saudi Arabia or northward through Central Asia, leading to longer flight times, increased fuel consumption, and higher operational costs for airlines. Passengers booked on flights to or through the Middle East are strongly encouraged to contact their airlines promptly to explore options for rebooking or refunds. Many carriers are currently waiving change fees to accommodate affected travelers during this uncertain period.
As the situation remains highly volatile, the aviation industry and travelers alike await further developments. The resumption of normal flight operations will largely depend on the de-escalation of military tensions and the reopening of regional airspaces. Until then, the disruption to global air travel caused by the Iran-Israel conflict continues to pose a significant challenge to international connectivity and passenger safety.
