GCC flight suspensions: latest updates

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Emirates Airline

Following recent Iranian attacks on GCC nations and resulting regional airspace closures, flight operations across the Gulf continue to face significant disruption, with airspace closures across the region and Emirates and Qatar Airways both suspending flights until at least Tuesday 3 March.

In the UAE, international airports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah remain closed to regular passenger services, with similar shutdowns in place in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Israel, Iraq and Iran.

Saudi Arabia is one of the few regional markets still operating on a partial basis, with select domestic and international flights to regions such as South Asia and Africa. Major hubs including Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport remain open, though passengers can expect cancellations and delays as schedules are adjusted.

Here are the latest developments from all major GCC carriers, however, passengers are advised to check flight status and local updates before travelling to airports.

UAE

Emirates: While services are expected to recommence on 3 March at 15:00 for passengers travelling to and from Dubai, Emirates has said it will begin operating a limited number of flights on the evening of 2 March, accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority. In a social media post, the airline said those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights would be "contacted directly" by Emirates. Customers with flights scheduled before or on 5 March can either request a refund or rebook on another flight within 20 days of their original departure date.

Etihad Airways: The national carrier is expected to resume flights to and from Abu Dhabi at 14:00 on 3 March 2026. Travellers on Etihad flights can request a full refund until 3 March via the airline’s online channels or through travel agents, and rebooking is available on Etihad-operated services until 18 March for tickets issued before the disruption window.

Etihad Airways

Flydubai: In its latest communication, the Dubai-based carrier has said it will resume flights on 3 March at 15:00 local time, but that it would operate a limited number of flights on the evening of 2 March. Four flights departing DXB are bound for destinations in Russia. Passengers with bookings until 4 March are able to rebook to their destination free of cost, for up to 20 days from their original departure day.

Air Arabia: Sharjah’s carrier Air Arabia is also expected to begin services on 2 March at 15:00, flying to all cities except Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, which will remain suspended until 3 March.

Saudi Arabia

Saudia Airlines: Services are cancelled for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait until 2 March at 23:59 GMT.

Flynas: The small-scale carrier has paused flights to select destinations until 3 March 2026 at 12:00 local time.

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Qatar

Qatar Airways: Flights are suspended until 3 March at 09:00 Doha time, with the airline expected to resume operations after confirmation of safe air travel by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. The carrier has advised travellers to stay informed through Qatar Airways’ social media platforms.

Kuwait

Kuwait Airways: The airline has launched a repatriation service for Kuwaiti citizens, operating flights to Jeddah, followed by onward land transport to the country. All other inbound and outbound flights remain suspended.

Jazeera Airways: Services are grounded until further notice.

Qatar Airways

Bahrain

Bahrain’s Gulf Air has halted all flights as the airspace stays closed. In an online notice on their website, the carrier has stated: "Gulf Air continues to monitor developments in coordination with the relevant authorities. Safety is always our highest priority and we will only operate flights through approved airspace when it is safe to do so."

Oman

Oman Air: Flights to and from Dubai International Airport (DXB), Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait and Amman were cancelled on 1 and 2 March.

SalamAir: The sultanate’s low-cost carrier has resumed flights for other regions but services to Sharjah, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran are still suspended.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said on Sunday, 1 March that the UAE government would cover all expenses for passengers affected by ongoing flight cancellations, rerouting and schedule changes.

International Carriers

Air Canada: Services suspended for Dubai until 3 March and Israel until 8 March.

Air France: Services cancelled to Dubai, Riyadh, Beirut and Tel Aviv until 3 March.

Air India: Flights to and from the UAE, Qatar, Saudi and Israel suspended until 2 March at 23:59 IST.

British Airways: Passengers flying between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv, can change flights free of cost for travel on or before 29 March.

IndiGo: Flights utilising Middle East airspace suspended until 2 March 23:59 IST.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: Dubai, Dammam and Riyadh services halted until 5 March, while seasonal operations to and from Tel Aviv suspended for remainder of winter. Passengers can rebook or refund any cancellations.

Lufthansa Group airlines (Lufthansa, Swiss, ITA Airways, Brussels Airline, Austrian Airlines): Suspended flights to and from Dubai until 4 March.

Turkish Airline: Services for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi cities Dammam and Riyadh paused until 5 March.

Virgin Atlantic: Cancelled services from London Heathrow to Dubai and Riyadh until 2 March.