LONDON — Air travel throughout the Middle East and beyond faced major disruptions Saturday following a U.S. and Israeli military operation targeting Iran.
Several nations including the United Arab Emirates and Israel shut down their airspace on Saturday, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute flights. The UAE is headquarters to major international carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways.
Qatar Airways Group announced temporary flight cancellations to and from Doha after Qatari officials also closed their airspace. Aircraft already flying toward Israel were diverted to alternative airports, while travelers waiting at Ben Gurion International Airport were transported back after their departing flights were scrubbed.
Emirates reported that multiple flights were impacted by the UAE airspace shutdown and advised travelers to verify their flight status through online channels. The airline operates from Dubai International Airport, which serves as the world’s busiest international travel hub.
Earlier this week, Netherlands-based KLM had already declared it would halt Tel Aviv service beginning Sunday.
Virgin Atlantic scrapped its London Heathrow to Dubai route and announced it would steer clear of Iraqi airspace, potentially extending flight times for routes to India, the Maldives, Dubai and Riyadh. The carrier was already avoiding Iranian airspace and stated all aircraft would carry extra fuel for potential emergency rerouting.
On social media platform X, Turkish Airlines announced flight suspensions to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan through Monday, while Saturday service to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Oman was also halted. The carrier warned that more cancellations might follow.
