Stories

Mon, 02 Mar 2026

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 Limited flights leave UAE but disruption continues amid Iran strikes

The majority of flights to key Middle Eastern hubs have been cancelled for Monday as the conflict continues.
Flight disruptions in the Middle East continue, with over 4,000 daily flights cancelled across the region due to the Israeli-US war on Iran. Flightradar24 reports that 79% of global flights to Qatar and 71% to the UAE have been grounded, while 81% of flights to Israel and 92% to Bahrain are also affected. Etihad Airways has suspended services until Wednesday, but some ad-hoc departures were made on Monday. One passenger, Fay McCaul, described the situation at Abu Dhabi Airport as "chaotic" due to lack of announcements and sirens blaring from potential missile strikes. Other airlines, including Emirates, have announced limited resumption of operations in Dubai. The airline will prioritize customers with earlier bookings for these flights and contact them directly. Qatar Airways has suspended all flight operations until the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. From the UK, many Middle East destinations have seen flight cancellations, including all flights to Israel and Bahrain, three-quarters of scheduled flights to the UAE, and over two-thirds to Qatar. Passengers remain stranded at airports in the region, with some airlines warning against travel unless contacted directly. The Foreign Office advises against travel to several countries in the region due to ongoing conflict, and British nationals can register for direct updates from the FCDO. The situation has caused a ripple effect on global air travel, with flights rerouting through other countries to avoid affected areas.