Dubai Flights Suspended for Third Day as Iran–US–Israel Conflict Disrupts Global Aviation and Gulf Airspace
Dubai’s aviation network remained largely grounded for a third consecutive day as Emirates extended the suspension of all flights to and from the city until at least 15:00 UAE time on March 2, reflecting the widening impact of the escalating confrontation between Iran, Israel and the United States that has reshaped air travel across the Middle East and beyond.
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| Satellite photos revealed two separate fires at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port; Via: Konain Bhatti on X |
Authorities across the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and Iran have either closed or heavily restricted their skies, sharply reducing safe flight corridors and forcing airlines worldwide to cancel or reroute services. Aviation tracking data shows more than 1,800 flights across the region have already been cancelled since March 1, with disruption cascading through global transit networks.
Dubai International Airport — the world’s busiest hub for international passengers — has become a focal point of the disruption. Operations at both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) remain suspended as regulators assess security risks linked to ongoing regional hostilities. Officials say flights will resume only after aviation authorities confirm that air corridors are secure for civilian aircraft.
The closures come amid continued Iranian retaliatory strikes launched after joint U.S.–Israeli military operations inside Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials. Explosions have been reported across Gulf cities including Dubai, Doha and Manama, while UAE air-defence systems intercepted hundreds of incoming projectiles.
Emirati authorities say several missiles and drones were destroyed before reaching targets, though some debris and limited strikes caused casualties and damage near critical infrastructure, including airports and coastal sites.
Airlines across continents have responded by suspending services or diverting routes away from Gulf airspace. European carriers such as Lufthansa extended cancellations through early March, while Asian and American airlines began rerouting long-haul flights southward, adding hours of travel time and increasing fuel consumption.
The Middle East’s role as the primary aviation bridge linking Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia means disruptions in Dubai and Doha are reverberating globally, affecting passengers far beyond the conflict zone.
For travellers, the impact has been immediate and widespread. Major airlines — including Emirates, Etihad, Air India, IndiGo, Qatar Airways, SpiceJet and Akasa Air — have introduced flexible rebooking policies and refunds as thousands of passengers remain stranded.
Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories while airports remain closed. UAE authorities have also coordinated accommodation and assistance for affected transit passengers as cancellations mount.
The aviation shock is already spilling into financial markets and tourism flows. Airline stocks across Asia-Pacific fell amid rising fuel prices and operational uncertainty, while Gulf stock exchanges suspended trading temporarily as governments assessed economic risks.
Dubai alone handled more than 92 million passengers in 2024 and recorded nearly 20 million international overnight visitors in 2025, underscoring how deeply global travel depends on uninterrupted operations in the region.
Analysts say the targeting of airports represents a strategic escalation rather than incidental damage. By disrupting aviation hubs that underpin Gulf economies and global connectivity, Iran’s retaliatory campaign appears designed to extend the conflict’s economic consequences beyond immediate military actors, increasing pressure on regional governments and international stakeholders.
The result is the most significant aviation disruption in the Middle East since the COVID-19 pandemic, with flight cancellations exceeding several thousand globally and airlines warning passengers to expect prolonged delays, longer routes and rising ticket prices if hostilities continue.
Authorities across the Gulf stress that the closures remain precautionary and temporary, but no timeline has been announced for a full reopening of regional airspace. With explosions still reported intermittently and military operations continuing across multiple fronts, aviation regulators are proceeding cautiously, prioritising passenger safety over rapid restoration of schedules.